Definition: The specific, frustrating inability to perceive obvious positive social cues (like someone being genuinely into you) because your own crushing self-doubt and nervousness completely obscures reality. It’s when your internal monologue of “They’re just being nice/polite” or “Everyone secretly judges me” acts like psychic smog, rendering you utterly oblivious to clear signals of affection, opportunity, or acceptance right in front of your face. The term highlights the maddening paradox where your hyper-awareness of potential judgment makes you blind to actual approval. It’s the cheerleader actually liking you while you’re convinced she’s mocking you in her head.
Example: “Bro, Sarah wasn’t ‘just being Canadian polite’ when she kept finding excuses to touch your arm and asked about your weekend plans – that was your crippling Anxiety Blindspot in action.” “Realizing Jenny the cheerleader liked me back in high school was a decade-loud epiphany, proof positive I had the thick