A Lesson from Jennifer Lawrence on Social Anxiety

The first time I saw actress Jennifer Lawrence on the silver screen – for her critically-acclaimed role as Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games – I was nothing short of impressed by her incredible talent and acting ability. Considering the unprecedented success of the film, it’s safe to say I wasn’t the only one who found Lawrence captivating on her mission to conquer the epic battle known as the Hunger Games. But there is something else about Jennifer Lawrence that intrigued me – that the actress once suffered from severe social anxiety. Needless to say, I found her battle with social anxiety as fascinating as her battle in the movie.

Find Your Calling

According to Jennifer Lawrence, nothing seemed to alleviate her social anxiety – not even the time she spent speaking with a therapist. Lawrence even admits to feeling “good for nothing” - until she found her calling as an actress. With her parents by her side, Jennifer headed for New York to pursue her dream of acting. During her first performance on stage, both Jennifer and her mother saw an incredible change taking place. The two watched all of Jennifer’s anxieties disappear.

Lawrence attributes acting as her savior for social anxiety for one very important reason – it made her happy because she felt capable. When I first learned about her story, it inspired me to reconsider my beliefs about anxiety and finding your own calling.

Don’t Settle for Less

For ten years, I battled not only social anxiety but also chronic depression. Instead of pursuing a dream career, I searched for jobs that would accommodate my social anxiety. While the thought of interacting with other people terrified me, certain career paths seemed to involve less social interaction and thus appealed to me more.

I racked my brain for career paths that would involve the least social interaction, believing I would be much more comfortable and ultimately, less anxious. However, if Jennifer Lawrence’s story proves one thing, it is that my thinking was completely backwards.

There is an incredible sense of irony in limiting yourself because of anxiety. After all, if succeeding in your dream career makes you feel happy and capable, then what’s the sense in searching for anything less than what you want?

Dare to Dream Big

My message to you is not to sell yourself short because of social anxiety (or any other mental health problem). As a person suffering from social anxiety, Jennifer Lawrence could have easily considered a career path such as acting as threatening, terrifying and ultimately unattainable. However, courage made her not only a successful actress who found her calling and personal happiness, but also a well-adjusted person who found the best possible way to overcome her social anxiety. Don’t settle for less because of anxiety. Reach for the stars instead!

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and his website, Breathe Into the Bag.