The fear of being seen: what if you stopped hiding?

There are days when you just want to disappear, to go unnoticed, even when you know it's unnecessary. This is exactly how many people feel when faced with the fear of being seen. Whether it's speaking in public or simply making yourself heard in a group, this fear can block you like an invisible wall.

I remember one day at work, I had prepared a proposal that was very important to me for improving a process. But as soon as the meeting started, I felt my heart race, my palms sweat, and I almost fell silent. I kept thinking: «"What if I'm wrong? What if everyone judges me?"» Finally, I took a deep breath and spoke. And you know what? My colleagues not only listened, but they also suggested improvements to my idea. That little moment made me realize that my fear was much greater in my head than in reality.

And the thing is, there's nothing shameful about this fear. Your brain is simply programmed to avoid rejection; it's a survival instinct. The problem arises when this fear starts to hold you back, preventing you from doing things that could truly help you move forward. You hold back from speaking up, from taking risks… and over time, it becomes frustrating.

Dare to exist: regain confidence and take action

So how do you regain confidence and dare to speak up despite the fear of being seen? The first thing is to let go of the myth of perfection. You don't need to be flawless to show yourself or speak. Even a clumsy gesture counts, because it gets you moving. For example, if you hesitate to speak up in a meeting, start with a short comment or a question. You'll see that this first step is always easier than you imagine.

Next, you need to learn to deconstruct fear. Often, what feels like a huge block of information is actually a series of small worries: «"What if I'm wrong? What if I look ridiculous?". Identify them and confront them one by one. You'll see that most of them don't hold up to reality.

There mindfulness is also a powerful tool. When you feel stress rising, take a few deep breaths and observe what you feel without judging yourself. Rather than telling yourself «"I'm going to fail."», you can think «"I'll try, and that's already a step."». This attitude transforms stress into energy and gives you the courage to act.

Another key point for regaining confidence is to celebrate every small victory. Even the simple act of daring to express your opinion or ask a question in public deserves recognition. These small successes accumulate and boost your self-esteem. Over time, you realize that you don't need to hide your ideas or emotions to be accepted.

Finally, don't hesitate to gradually expose yourself to these situations. Start with low-pressure scenarios, then increase the difficulty little by little. Speaking in front of a small group, presenting a project… Each successful experience makes you more confident and lessens the grip of fear. And you'll see, the opinions of others will gradually lose their power over you.

Regaining confidence and taking risks isn't an instant transformation. It's a series of small steps, attempts, breaths, and celebrations of your successes. And every step, however small, brings you closer to a freer, more assertive version of yourself.

So today, take that first step. Even if it's small. Dare to show who you are, dare to say what you think, dare to create. Every gesture counts, and the world is just waiting to see you shine… not to judge you.