Is my shyness going too far or is this normal? Salam
As-salamu alaykum. Haya is such a lovely trait in Islam and one of the things I really value about our deen as a Muslim woman. But sometimes I wonder if my shyness moves past healthy modesty and becomes a bit extreme. I’m not talking about hijab or outward dress - alhamdulillah I feel balanced there. I mean more my mindset and behavior. I feel extremely shy around men, especially Muslim men. I’ve been like this as long as I can remember. Even male teachers or professors make me want to hide. I’ve tried to work on it, and with coworkers or lecturers I can manage a bit, but inside I still feel uncomfortable unless I really know them. In social settings with Muslim men I often don’t want to speak at all, even if I’ve known them for a long time. Related to that, I genuinely want to get married and hope to be a wife and mother, in sha Allah, but the idea of daily interaction with a man feels overwhelming. Intimate moments worry me a lot. I’m very private about my body, so the thought of someone seeing me at my most vulnerable is almost paralysing. For context, I can’t even wear slightly revealing or form-fitting clothes around other women - not my mother or close friends. Even when I feel confident in something, if I have to show it to someone else I immediately shrink away. How would I begin to address this if I get married? Also, I’m uncomfortable being the center of attention. I avoid it unless necessary. Parties where I’m the focus, like graduation celebrations, felt excruciating. The idea of a wedding with everyone watching me terrifies me - I’d much rather be in the crowd enjoying the time than be singled out and fussed over. It feels like the opposite of what many women my age (I’m 20) want or experience. Friends are excited to post outfits or mingle with men they like. I like those things in theory but freeze when it’s my turn. Most people dream up ideal wedding scenes, but I don’t. So am I unconsciously hiding myself in an unhealthy way? Is this normal? I’d appreciate any advice or experiences from sisters who’ve felt similarly - and any gentle Islamic guidance on how to balance haya with living a normal, social life and preparing for marriage. JazākAllāhu khayr.