<p>I've been shy my whole life. I've been excluded many times because of that reason. People don't have a problem with me, but I think my shyness definitely hindered me my whole life. When I meet new people, I really don't know what to say. Luckily, I've been able to open up to a couple of close friends and those who know me well know that I'm loud and crazy...I actually hang out with people who are very outgoing. But, the people in my classes aren't the people I hang out with either, so I'm extremely shy and quiet. Basically, in my first three years of high school, I've been in classes with the same people, but I still haven't been able to overcome my shyness.</p>
<p>Next year will be my senior year, and I want to make it my best. I hate being so quiet, but I don't know what to do to overcome it. I've tried so many times, but nothing works...I really don't know what to do...</p>
<p>you have to start out small, before you know it you will be talking without shyness. you just have to start talking no matter how shy, and you'll just get used to it. either that, or you will have to kill yourself. there are no other ways to overcome it.</p>
<p>I lived a pretty quiet life as a little kid until third grade or so. Talking to new people has been much easier for me since then, but I still get that fearful feeling sometimes when I meet new people. I remember how I would avoid raising my hand only because I didn't want to give a wrong answer. If I said something wrong, I would feel very, very guilty. It's all about being able to relax and let go of that timidity you have. I think what helped me drive my shyness away was during the first week of third grade. My teacher had asked a question, and I thought that I knew the answer. For some reason, I felt really confident that day, so I decided to raise my hand. I got called on, but I gave an answer that wasn't fully correct. From that point on, I learned that it was okay to make mistakes because everyone makes them. If I was ever loud and crazy back then, it must've stuck only to my family and my really good friends, just like you. I thought that if I made more friends and got to know them well, I could become closer to them as well and form a larger network. It really starts out in the classroom. Most of my close friends come from either freshman orientation or class projects. Many of them are my former chemistry lab buddies, science project groupies, math semester presentation partners, history study buddies, etc. Three years ago, I remember entering my high school knowing only ten other people. As a freshman, I promised myself that I would make friends with more people because I didn't want to live in a sheltered world like I did back in grade school. I'm looking at my class list right now and counting how many people that I regularly keep in contact with: 95/160. Not bad for someone who started out knowing practically nobody.</p>
<p>I know how the OP feels. I've been really shy my entire life and whenever I'm introduced to someone I don't know very well, I have a really hard time making small talk and trying to get to know people... it all stems from a fear of rejection (at least for me). </p>
<p>My honest advice is just to "force" yourself to form friendships and make connections with people. I often find that getting to know new people seems really daunting, but I know it's necessary, so I make myself accept invitations to hang out and whatnot, and I often find that I start to loosen up as I start to find things in common with people, and trust me, everyone has at least something in common with you... it's all about finding that and building on it...</p>
<p>I hope this helps, and I totally empathize... just remember to let your guard down, and you'll be surprised at how you never really needed it in the first place.</p>
<p>What would you talk to other people about?? Forcing yourself to talk to others is easier said than done. When you're having a conversation with someone I think that you should just pretend that you're talking to your friends. Make it impersonal.</p>
<p>it's pretty easy. just give your input when you have the slightest inkling that what you have to say is interesting. it will just flow. before you know it, you'll overcome your shyness. just don't try to start out by being an extrovert. just start out small with what you say, then you'll overcome it. like someone said, don't worry about rejection, and learn to laugh at yourself.</p>
<p>im pretty good with small talk and opening up. i have been told that i am one of the most engaging people they have ever met.</p>
<p>my problem comes with being in big groups. i usually never talk in big groups. i am definitely a one-to-one person.
i have decided that it is just who i am and will deal with it accordingly.</p>