>>7345344>>7345011I want to address this because I've lived it and I know that feel.
When I was a kid, I was always talkative, to everyone anyone. As I approached puberty, I became more self-aware and regressed into myself. As a result, by the time I was in my mid-teens (15ish) I was an introvert. Sure, I had friends and we hung out and did stuff, but in social situations with new people I fared less well.
This was something that I didn't like about myself.
I realized that my self-protective behaviour - where I would pull myself away from people for fear of making an ass of myself - was the cause of my introversion. For a long time I pondered this and decided that if my behaviour was the cause, then it can also be the solution. I decided to become a "yes man".
When someone would invite me to a party where I didn't know anyone, and I'd normally turn down, I said "yes". If someone said "Hey do you wanna..." the answer was always "yes". I was purposely forcing myself to step (just one step) outside of my comfort-zone towards a goal.
I won't lie: there were times that I had done something that I regretted being a part of, but by-and-large I met people, a few of whom I connected with, and that made all the difference. My circle of friends got larger, I said "yes" to different parties, and met more people there.
Keep in mind that this was back when I was in high school, so it was a very social environment and every other weekend SOMEONE is having a party, shindig or box social.
To this day I am still an introvert, and social situations give me anxiety. I've mentioned this to friends that I met in my 20's or 30's and they unanimously agree that I am not introverted. I mean, they're wrong, but on the surface I can be quite outgoing. Just because of the decision that I made in high school about who I wanted to be, and how I was gonna get there.
