Hey, NMoussa!

You sound a lot like me. I have had to force myself in the past couple of years to become more outgoing by trying to get to know my classmates and coworkers, attending socials, stuff like that. It has been a long uphill battle. I am naturally introverted. I like solitude most of the time. Being around people for extended periods of time tends to drain me. And being the first to speak is so hard. I can do it sometimes, but then where do I take the conversation after we've discussed the weather, news, politics, sports, or whatever? So many of my conversations have died because I didn't know what to say next. I guess they didn't know what to say next either.

When I was in high school, I know most of my classmates thought I was a snob. But those were the ones who didn't bother getting to know me.

You're not sick and there's nothing wrong with you. You're just an introvert. That's just who you are. That's ok. Be yourself. Be comfortable with who you are. For me, that's one of my biggest challenges. That, and trying to be more outgoing, ... oh, and dealing with my plethora of fears.

I have discovered that the more I accept myself, the easier time I have around people. It doesn't mean I like them any more. Maybe it just makes it easier to tolerate them. Just think, they may be as scared of you as you are of them.

tugofwar