colabear

spotlight effect

"spotlight effect": the tendency we have to overestimate how much other people notice us (verywellmind.com)

I've never understood/learned what the spotlight effect was until today. And for the 17 years of my life, I've been experiencing without knowing it. I've blamed myself countless times for being unable to feel confident when I talked to others or presenting. I hated myself and blamed myself so much for experiencing this effect.

I wish I learned about this effect sooner.