I've had plenty of great conversations lately and reduced my anxiety a lot by paying attention to what I'm doing all the time. So if I'm smoking a cigarette then I see myself smoking the cigarette and it helps keep me in the present, if I'm putting clothes away in a locker then I try and stay in the present by seeing myself doing it. I also consciously question negative thoughts that enter my mind and it helps me overcome them on the spot most of the time. Also repeating some mantras that remind me of the importance of attitude. Of course this combined with stopping safety behaviours has been a big help.

So when I'm talking to people, I'm consciously trying to watch myself and be present, it has helped a lot. However it is difficult to do it all the time and I often slip up and automatic negative thoughts get the better hand.

It can be very difficult to bring in this self awareness of my actions at times and its gotten harder to do since I started doing it a couple days ago. I've noticed that I've felt really normal and its been great to have a laugh with people and be comfortable around people.

My question is, is continuing to use this method and working on it even when I have set backs using it, will it eventually get easier and easier and then eventually I won't need to think about it? Is this a positive and good way of overcoming social phobia long term?

I would like to have put more detail in this but I must get back to work, I look forward to feedback on this question, thank you very much.