I consider myself shy, but people close to me would never believe that... so that would correspond to what your post has said.

When I was chubby AND overweight I would go to the grocery store at night to avoid people seeing me, I hated crossing the street at a red light, I hated buying female products (lol), I hated to speak up, etc. etc. etc. but over the years and with having kids I have started to come out of my shell some. I think my job plays a role, as a nurse I HAVE to stand up for my patients and have my voice heard, also for my children. Also with my weight loss has come the confidence which helped with some of the above issues. I don't know?!?!

I stopped reading here:

"There will always be someone funnier, smarter, or louder than you."

Louder? Sure. Funnier and smarter? I think not.

On a side note, I don't mind buying feminine products (would say female products, but it's too close to sounding like I'm buying hookers). Of course being that I'm single, it is a bit odd for me to do it, but practice makes perfect and you never know when you'll be called into duty. Actually, I have two girls so you never know.

It is a good post though. In the end, be happy with YOU. Love YOU. Get that self worth up and you'll be A-ok. And yes, you don't need to be the life of the party. Let someone else make a foolish display.

Well said!
I am usually the life of the party, add alcohol and we are all in trouble

I consider myself shy, but people close to me would never believe that... so that would correspond to what your post has said.

This. No one at work believes that I am shy. (I work with all men.) In fact, they find me to be a bit too assertive at times. But I think that is because I know my **** and and am confident when it comes to my job. In every other facet of my life...not so much.

Oh and BTW, keep saying "feminine" products. Humans are the only "females" that use them. (I learned that on a TOM thread )

I'm shy but for some reason I thrive in retail. Like, my co-workers have no idea I'm shy because I talk and talk, and have no issues whatsoever talking with customers.

But, when I'm not at work I struggle. It'll take me minutes to get up the nerve to talk to someone unless they approach me first. Even then, I'm typically stuttering, blushing, and wanting to cower in a corner. Hell, on here, I'll usually stare at someone's profile for 5-10 minutes hovering over the "add as friend" button before I can get up the nerve to press it! Sometimes I've even typed out a message to someone to add as a friend and not hit send, haha.

I try to put myself in situations where I have to talk to people, and I try to say hi to at least one stranger every day. It's true - I don't trust people. I know the root of it, I'm working really hard on it, and I'm getting better, but it's still there.

ETA: Being active on the forums helps me a bit, too, but sometimes - even on this thread - it also takes a bit for me to get up the nerve to respond, hehe. Baby steps!

Extrovert! Haha, I'm always chattin it up with everybody, my friends even more so... the poor souls :P

Extrovert! Haha, I'm always chattin it up with everybody, my friends even more so... the poor souls :P

Me too. Line ups are for making friends and job interviews are my fave! Love people and conversation with friends and strangers alike.

I think what makes me an introvert is that until I'm given a reason, I don't really care about other people.

If I am around friends, I am very talkative. If I am in a crowd, I usually keep to myself or talk to my group of friends. I don't think it's shyness that causes this though. It's certainly not that I feel threatened or insecure around strangers. I think it's because I have taken the time to get to know my friends and I have judged them to be worth my time and effort. I worked as a restaurant manager for many years and found most of the customers to be petty, boring, stupid, unreasonable, and completely uninteresting. I taught college and I found most (certainly not all) of the students to be the same. I am comfortable being by myself and having a small group of friends and am generally happier now than I was when I was younger and worried about impressing others and being more popular. I am sure I miss out on some quality people but from a statistical standpoint a random stranger is more likely to be uninteresting than interesting so I keep to myself. Some exceptions are the gym, my running club or places/events that have some sort of theme to them. I am more outgoing with people I meet in places like this because we share common interests and are more likely to share similar lifestyles, experiences, etc.

I am an extorvert but shy. I prefer to be out and about with people than staying home but unless I am with someone I know I am not usually going to talk to people I don't know. If you get me in a large group of people I know I am a huge social butterfly.

I can agree to this for myself.

I am an extorvert but shy. I prefer to be out and about with people than staying home but unless I am with someone I know I am not usually going to talk to people I don't know. If you get me in a large group of people I know I am a huge social butterfly.

I can agree to this for myself.

This is me a bit too - I wouldn't say "shy" per se, and I will talk to people I don't know if I'm feeling good/confident that day, or I've had a drink lol. Otherwise I'm not necessarily initiating conversation with people I don't know unless its like a networking event or something. But yeah, in a group of people I know (which is usually the case - the people I know roll in large packs lol) I'm all out there.

Always 100% Extrovert on Myers briggs tests!

I am shy, but not introverted. I love being around people, and do not want to be alone.

But those of you who are shy, how do you handle dating? My ex-husband left me in September, and I have gone on two dates since. The dates went fine, but I was so anxious it was hard to handle. Hopefully it gets easier!