New Year's Eve parties are set to take place today, following the Christmas festivities, and so those who are more socially anxious might be feeling drained.
But there is a mindset going viral on how to help change your approach and mindset when it comes to this kind of thing.
It's called the "invisible guest" theory, and it's been widely praised by people on social media - but what is it?
This is when you're in attendance at a social gathering, be it a dinner or party, and the guests at the event aren't really thinking about you but rather are thinking about themselves and how they are being perceived, or at least as the theory goes.
Although you might feel like you're struggling to keep your head above water in social interactions due to being self-conscious about how you're coming across, but those who you are interacting with aren't thinking this about you at all.
So basically we're all looking inward at ourselves rather than outwardly judging people - that's nice to know.
People on TikTok have been sharing their experiences with channelling this "invisible guest" theory mindset - and they've had positive results.
@coolgirlyceo
Have you heard of the Invisible Guest Theory? My dad told me about it, and honestly it changed how I socialise forever Here it is: At almost every party, dinner, meeting, or gathering you walk into, most people aren’t thinking about you at all. They’re too busy worrying about themselves. They’re wondering if they sound smart. They’re wondering if their outfit looks okay. They’re wondering if people like them. Which means? Half the time, you’re just an invisible guest in their world. Not because you don’t matter but because everyone is trapped in their own head. I thought about all the times I replayed something dumb I said. All the times I left a room thinking, “Everyone must be judging me.” But they weren’t. They weren’t even noticing. It made me rethink every room l’ve ever walked into. And then it freed me. If most people are too consumed with themselves to notice your flaws, then why are you living like you’re on stage? This is your reminder: You don’t need to perform. You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to impress strangers who won’t even remember what you wore. You’re allowed to just be. To show up as yourself. To stop performing for an audience that was never watching in the first place. Follow @coolgirlyceo for more confidence & mindset shifts like this✨ #confidence #mindsetshifts #invisibleguesttheory
"I went for dinner with a millionaire, and he told me about the 'invisible guest' theory - it changed my whole perspective on socialising," one person claimed.
They added in the caption, "Half the time, you’re just an invisible guest in their world. Not because you don’t matter, but because everyone is trapped in their own head."
In the comments section, some people shared similar experiences.
"I recently thought of this and it changed how I view people. Everyone is dealing with their own emotions and issues. Don’t ever let anyone make you feel uncomfortable or unworthy. Even if people are vocal about something negative about you, it’s really not about you. It’s about them," one person said.
A second person wrote, "Another way I’ve heard it is who do you think you are that other people are paying any attention to what you’re doing?? I know! Do your thing. No one cares. Right?? No one cares!! WooHoooo!"
"This applies to every aspect of life. People hardly care about you most of the time - their lives are difficult already. We often mistake the 5 min of attention or gossip towards us as recurring attention," a third person shared.
A fourth person commented, "99% of people think they have a special or brave life in the arena, but they’re actually in the bleachers and no one cares or notices."
Something to remember next time you're feeling overwhelmed at a social gathering.
Elsewhere from Indy100, The funniest New Year's memes to ring in 2026, and This is what colour underwear you should wear on New Year's Eve to manifest in 2026.
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