You may be an especially good listener. You might be playing it safe and smart. [1] X Research source You may be a good observer of situations and people. You may be seen as modest. You may be seen as thoughtful. What else do you think might be good about being quiet and reserved?

If you have a smartphone, jot down your notes there then transfer them to a word document or write your notes down in a journal. If you don’t have a phone that you can take notes on while you’re out and about, consider keeping a paper and pen on you so you can write your thoughts down during the day before you forget what happened.

Try reading the book Quiet by Susan Cain: http://www. npr. org/books/titles/145928609/quiet-the-power-of-introverts-in-a-world-that-cant-stop-talking Try reading about the evolutionary logic behind your personality. In some environments, introverts thrive more than extroverted individuals, particularly when being outgoing comes with costs (like when living somewhere with lots of infectious diseases, since being outgoing exposes you to more diseases). [3] X Research source In other words, there is no one ‘best’ personality from the perspective of success or survival, but rather it depends on a complex array of things such as one’s environment: http://www. nytimes. com/2011/06/26/opinion/sunday/26shyness. html

Write down a list of your strengths. Forgive yourself for past wrongs you have done. Try to keep in mind that mistakes can allow you to learn but don’t need to hold you back in life. Treat yourself well and remember that perfection is not part of the human experience; you will have quirks and faults just like everyone else, and that’s OK!

Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft. J. K Rowling who wrote the Harry Potter series. Albert Einstein, one of the greatest physicists of all time. Rosa Parks, famous Civil Rights activist.

You will probably have more in common with people who are similarly quiet and reserved than you would with people who are quite outgoing and extroverted.

If there aren’t any upcoming events in your area, consider organizing one yourself!

To find an online forum, try searching with the terms: “forums for shy people”

You’ll need to decide a few things about your group. Ask yourself where you will hold your meetings and when and what the name of your group will be. You will also need to advertise the group. You can try recruiting on online forums or posting ads on bus stops in your city.

To find a psychologist, use can this website: http://locator. apa. org/ To find a mental health professional try searching the internet for e. g. , LPC + your zip code or, e. g. , LCSW + your city name.

You may suffer from social anxiety disorder if typical social interactions cause you large amounts of anxiety, fear, or embarrassment because you feel you are being negatively evaluated by others.

It is better to have too much detail here than too little. Let your doctor decide what information is important and what is tangential.

Asking about any medications you might be able to take. Asking about the pros and cons of medications. Asking what alternatives there are to taking medications, such as lifestyle changes. Asking about the side-effects of medications. Asking about the possible underlying cause of your social anxiety.