Receiving (physical) attention-how to handle it?

[Magicinthenight]

Lately I've been receiving a lot of hugs, touches etc. from people who I barely know and from work colleagues. I don't mind it in general, in fact I've taken it as a sign I'm vibrating a good, loving energy, as people seem really drawn to me (just today a lecturer who was speaking to us in a conference came over specifically to me, to thank me for listening and to hug me and the speaker after them came over too, although this time there was only a handshake. It felt great but I also felt a little confused by the attention).

The thing is, even though I'm really outgoing and love being with people, I'm also somewhat shy when I'm drawing attention from others. So while I absolutely embrace the fact I'm drawing people to me, I also feel a little shy because it also draws attention to me. I'm not sure what it says about me; the awkwardness of getting such attention is obviously less important than giving and receiving loving attention, but it's still there.

Actually, when I think about it, I'm often quite shy about receiving attention (to the degree I sometimes dress down or act more subtly than I normally would just so that I don't draw that much attention from people). I'm fine when I'm with people I know well, but it's the attention from strangers or receiving attention from a bigger crowd that makes me somewhat uncomfortable. Note I'm talking about positive attention here, I'm sure anyone would feel anxious about receiving negative attention. Does it mean I'm not feeling "worth it" or that I feel like I should downplay myself so I don't make anyone else feel uncomfortable?

Any input (if you managed to grasp the idea of the post from my ramblings) would be greatly apprecciated.

[Eduard E]

I know the feeling. Positive attention puts you in the hot seat. It's a sign you did something right and now people will be watching you to see what else you have to offer. You're probably afraid you'll screw up and loose their positive investment.

This is a good point to learn two tings:
1. That you are cool enough for people to like you and to not screw up (in general) after making a good first impression.
2. That even if you loose someone's positive feelings towards you, it really doesn't matter.

In other words, self confidence and detachment from outcome. I love these two traits.

[Magicinthenight]

Originally Posted by Eduard E

I know the feeling. Positive attention puts you in the hot seat. It's a sign you did something right and now people will be watching you to see what else you have to offer. You're probably afraid you'll screw up and loose their positive investment.

Feels like you just read my mind but actually managed to word it much more coherently. But you're absolutely right. And I do intend to soak it up, as it does feel awesome. I still need to work on the self-esteem part, though, as obviously there's a part of me, which thinks "whoa, it's just little ol' me, what are you making such fuss about?"

[Eduard E]

Yeah, I manage that sometimes . Glad I can help.

Originally Posted by Magicinthenight

There's a part of me, which thinks "whoa, it's just little ol' me, what are you making such fuss about?"

What? Isn't little ol' you good enough for the fuss?

[Magicinthenight]

Originally Posted by Eduard E

What? Isn't little ol' you good enough for the fuss?

See this is the part I obviously I need to work on. I have no trouble believing and loving the fuss from people who know me, but whenever I start drawing a big amount of attention from other people, I get all flustered. I blush, I get all shy and it's actually quite interesting since of course I also enjoy being noticed and apprecciated (who doesn't?). But yeah, definitely there's a lot here to be learned, so that in the future I'll be able to just purely enjoy the attention.