opinion of us. Other consciousness The antidote is to practice turning your attention from your own self and onto the person you are with. Listen attentively to what they are saying but more than that take time to notice everything you can about them from whether they seem tense or relaxed, their skin tone, to the colour of their eyes. Imagine you were going to have to describe them from memory -- try to take in every little detail and commit it to memory. This should exercise your brain enough that there is little room for negative self talk and worry about yourself. Showing interest in other people is the hallmark of people who make friends very easily -- we all want to be noticed. What will 'they' think? Sometimes people feel extremely inhibited because rather than going on dates and assessing their date's suitability on their own list of criteria, they are carrying a whole bunch of other people and their opinions with them too. Who are 'they'? Most often it is parents, family friends and social groups and the question of whether they would approve of or accept this person can cause many people to become so unsure that they never settle for anyone. Although we all do it to a certain extent when dating because we want to fit in with our family and friends it is really important that, as much as you can, you set aside other people's possible reactions and begin to trust in