How to deal with shyness?

Question

I've been extremely shy and withdrawn the past couple years. Does anyone have any suggestions on ways to deal with shyness?

Answer 1

When you say "the last couple of years" it begs questions about the years prior.

Many people become depressed as a result of post traumatic stress.

At any rate, stress will be the cause.
Stress is what needed to be coped with originally, and was not. Most times this will beat a person down inside, and cause them to become withdrawn and quiet.
Now it seems to have made itself a home inside of you.
You may no longer recognize it as stress. You may likely have forgotten what ever may have caused the initial stress.

Whatever the cause may be, you my friend can releive yourself of this burden.

Shyness results when a person suffers low self-esteem.
They do not believe that they are good enough to be heard from or seen acting like themselves.

You likely expect that others will think lowly thoughts about you no matter what toy do.
It is also likely that you do not accept compliments from people who care about you and wish they could lift your spirits.

The first rule is that you live your life.

You cannot fail to live your life. You are doing so even as you are asleep.

Like it or not, you are in the driver seat, and you are responsible for your reality as it stands.

So you say the other guy ran into you.
You could have swerved out of the way, but you didnt and so you cant take back the accident.

It happens.

Now you simply must repair the damage and move on with your life.
Be proud of who you are. Know that you have something to offer. Perhaps you need to find the crowd that you will enjoy being around.
My point is that you should appriciate yourself first. Forgive yourself for whatever is keeping you at bay. And then allow for others to like you.
I probably like you, and I don't even know you yet.

Answer 2

I'm really shy too. I hate it. I mean, like I'm in cadets and everything, so shy its not fit. I can't even read or answer questions in class without turning so red, and its the class I've been with since kindergarten (in grade 10 now). I really hate being so shy, but I can't help it. I know exactly how you feel. I've been in a similar situation. I guess all I can say for you to do is to either give up or just be brave and try to talk to the others. I'd say, go back to your class, and try hard to not be as shy. I knows its really really hard, but you gotta try. Maybe you should try to notice if anyone else seems like their alone or shy, and just smile or talk a little with them. At camp this summer, I didn't know anyone, and I felt like a real idiot anytime I tried to talk to anyone. But, the girl who stayed across bunks from me was lonely too, and so we ate together a few times and we ended up being really good friends. Go back to your class, and try to be not as shy, that's the best you can do. Maybe if you did some confidence things or something, that might help too. But just be brave, things will work out for you soon. Good luck, and I hope I helped a little! If you want to talk or anything you can msg me.

Answer 3

Go out and socialize in activities that you love and are good at. That way you are starting off from a position of strenght and ability.

You can't think or journal or email/newsgroup your way out of shyness. You must go out and interact.

One thing that shy people fear is rejection. They often assume that they are more likely to be rejected than outgoing people. Not so. Outgoing people experience more rejection because they interact with more people. Shy people are rarely rejected because they rarely get out. Outgoing people just don't take rejection personally like shy folks.

Answer 4

You may be experiencing a normal teenage phase (if you are a teenager). However, if your personality has changed dramatically and you have withdrawn from friends or family, you should seek a medical opinion.

Answer 5

"The way you get over shyness is to become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid."

-Lady Bird Johnson