Are They Watching Me?

Hey, my friend,

Do you ever get that weird feeling like people are watching you?

Like maybe they noticed something you did or said, and now they’re thinking about it?

I get that all the time.

It’s like my brain turns on this imaginary spotlight and I can’t step out of it.

Even when I know people probably aren’t paying that much attention, it still feels like they are.

There’s a name for it. It’s called the Spotlight Effect.

It means we think others look and notice small things about us way more than they actually do.

Our brains just work that way.

We see the world through our own eyes, so everything we do feels big and important.

But everyone else is seeing life through their own eyes, too.

They’re thinking about their own day, their own problems, the small thing they said that they can’t stop replaying.

So while I’m worrying about how I came across, they’re probably doing the same thing about themselves.

I know this in my head, but it doesn’t make the feeling disappear. I still catch myself overthinking small things.

Sometimes I can laugh at it, and sometimes it just stays.

I used to think it meant something was wrong with me, but it doesn’t. It’s just how my mind works.

And honestly, I think a lot of people feel it too.

So if you’ve ever felt that way, like all eyes are on you, you’re not alone. We all fall for it.

The next time it happens, maybe remind yourself that everyone else is caught up in their own thoughts, too.

Even if that feeling doesn’t go away right away, keep going anyway, my friend.

I hope you’ll keep that in mind.

That is it for today, and see you tomorrow.

Take care,
Prasad Mairale
Petals of Positivity 🌸