Lessons in Self Worth

The SPOTLIGHT Effect: Breaking Free From Social Anxiety Moments

May 3, 2026·14 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Are you feeling self-conscious, anxious, or like everyone is watching you, especially in social situations? You might feel embarrassed talking at work, scared to share your opinion with friends, or nervous to talk to a stranger...That’s the spotlight effect - a common cognitive bias where you overestimate how much others notice our appearance, behaviour, mistakes, or the fact you're anxious.In this episode, I (Modern CBT Therapist & Coach, Carly Ann) discuss the spotlight effect in more detail, including more on what it is, examples you can relate to, the impact, and I explore practical strategies to overcome the spotlight effect. If you struggle with fear of judgement, awkward social moments, or replaying conversations in your head, this episode will help you give you a moment of feeling so seen - and how to break free from it.Hosted by Carly Ann, this episode is ideal for anyone interested in psychology, mental health, anxiety management, and personal development.Links below:⁠⁠⁠⁠Work with Carly Ann⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Newsletter⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram⁠⁠

Podzilla Summary coming soon

Sign up to get notified when the full AI-powered summary is ready.

Get Free Summaries →

Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.

Listen to This Episode

Get summaries like this every morning.

Free AI-powered recaps of Lessons in Self Worth and your other favorite podcasts, delivered to your inbox.

Get Free Summaries →

Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.