I have always been a very shy guy. When I was a child, I remember I could barely talk to strangers or classmates. This was to the point that when I started school, I was so shy that my teachers thought I had speech problems (although I could already talk very well at home). So, my parents took me to a speech therapist.

During those years, I thought that this shyness was a part of me. A thing that I could not change. A characteristic of my personality. I thought that it was just me and could do nothing about it. I even made the mistake to call myself an introvert.

In reality, I was just anxious about everything.

When I turned 18, I started realizing that I was a socially anxious extrovert, not an introvert. I realized I enjoyed interacting with people and that I like taking the lead in social interactions. I was just afraid of them.

This inner development allowed me to do a lot of things that most people just don't have the guts to do. Once I finally realized what my fear was, there was basically nothing that could stop me.

I became the student representative in my uni years where I stood up for my classmates many times. I excelled in all of my oral presentations and defenses. I made real friends. I had tons of acquaintances. At some point, I found someone who was worth my intention and got into a relationship (though it ended). I engage conversations with strangers, without them being awkward.

Progressively, I started being less and less afraid of social interactions.

Does that mean I finally succeeded in dating? I don't think so. However, fighting my social anxiety made me someone who is no longer afraid to talk to people and date them. I ask girls out without being scared.

Right now I'm 25, I am still scared to cold approach, although I do it. There are still many things I must work on and I'm doing my best to become the man I want to be.

Why am I writing all this? To inspire you so you acknowledge and overcome your fears. Most people out here are not introverts, they are socially anxious extroverts.

Whenever you hear yourself saying "that's the way I am", take a moment and think "is this really who I want to be for the rest of my life ?".