Yeah, shyness is just ****ing crippling. I met the most beautiful woman I have even come into contact with last week (she taught our yoga group - stood in for the usual leader) - an absolute goddess in every sense, really she was like on another plane of existence. Straight away my self loathing and shyness started kicking in - 'how could I possibly talk to her', 'how could she possibly have any interest in me', 'if I say anything personal she'll think I'm just a creep', 'she must be in another league and have lots of interest from guys, how can I possibly compete?' and so on. I wouldn't have known what to say to her anyway. Completely shut myself down and now I am majorly kicking my own *** for doing that, but I do it everytime. I don't go out at all socially as in to pubs/clubs etc and am very social phobic in that sense although I am able to go out for specific activities like yoga or a walking group (or to work).