Are you one of those people who approach new things and new people with trust and excitement, almost exclaiming: “Great, a new opportunity!” Or does your mind fill with worries and nervous anticipation?
In autumn, after the holidays, everything starts up again: work, hobbies, perhaps even a new relationship. There’s plenty that is inspiring in all this, but also something scary and unsettling. “What will others think of me? How will I manage?”
Feeling nervous is human and completely allowed. According to psychologist Minna Martin, it’s like warming up before a new situation. Sensitivity can even be useful: it may make it easier to notice if someone else is lost or feeling uncomfortable. So, nervousness isn’t something you have to get rid of—it’s better to learn to recognize and accept it. It’s even worth consciously giving it space and acknowledging it as a part of life.
Some people who are prone to nervousness fear social situations, meaning they become anxious in the company of others. Even those with experience may sometimes feel a vague anxiety about having to step out into the world again and face whatever awaits there. It may be hard to trust that everything will go smoothly.
Anxiety, too, can be managed. Still, nervousness sometimes spills over: you sweat, your heart races, your legs tremble, and your mind goes blank. This is a primitive stress reaction where reasoning with yourself doesn’t help. In such moments, you can calm yourself in other ways—for example, by placing your feet firmly on the ground, which supports you. This gives the body a sense of basic safety and an unconscious connection to early experiences of being held and supported. We’ve all been carried and comforted at some point. Then, you can try sighing with relief, softening your face and chest, and breathing calmly through your nose. In this way, you tell your body that the situation is not life-threatening.
Acknowledging your nervousness usually helps as well. It’s a bit like letting some air out of a valve. Ideally, the atmosphere should be one where encouragement is given, where it’s said that nervousness doesn’t matter at all, and that it is, in fact, a natural part of being visible.
Source: Opettaja 8/2025, 24–26
