Any advice for somewhat shy/introvert?

[swkstudent]

What can I do to feel less awkward or nervous in social settings without having to fake it?

[kqa]

Practice in front of your mirror!

[brendy1990]

i was the same way and still am but not as bad as i use to be, i started working at a grocery store and had to talk on the loud speaker to call for carts in front of customers and it was the worse, but slowly i got use to it and helped out with the degree of shyness i had.. so i think facing ur fears on a regular basis will slowly help.

[NakishaN]

I use to be terribly shy until I learned how valuable I was and how contributing what I say can be helpful to people. Be you, relate, practice being the best you, you can be. God bless you!

[falcon9]

What can I do to feel less awkward or nervous in social settings without having to fake it?

If you can, go to a karaoke venue with friends, (or without), watch others the first time out, then try doing that in small increments.  Wear a floopy hat and something if you feel you need to at first.  After five or six times, (maybe thirty-seven times ...), some of that self-inhibitedness may fade.  It doesn't matter how well or badly you sing since that isn't the point of the outings.

[Snoozey]

You should get a job where you are forced to talk to people, that helped me partially overcome my social phobia.

[bigedshult]

if you are bashful around other people.? The only way to get over is! Is to play like you're not scared of and do it all the time. As the more you do it the easier it gets and so all you have to do is play. Like you were not afraid eventually you will all not be afraid it is harder first but it gets easier the more you do it.

[cloudsoup]

likes others have said, putting yourself in an environment
where you're forced to be social is probably the best way.
when i started working in customer service, i was pretty shy.
my first boss made me go up to a customer and
start talking. it was so terribly awkward that i'll never forget
it, lol. but it eventually worked!

i can look back and laugh at that now. customers want to talk
to me all day now  i think i'm too approachable!
haha.

[lena3018]

You should get a job where you are forced to talk to people, that helped me partially overcome my social phobia.

 

I feel the same way I was very shy in high school and never really wanted to talk to people so some odd reason. Once I started working at my first job as a cashier and had to talk to customers and sale to me I got over it.

I would also try and just say hello to someone you don't know. Most of the time they will start the conversation and you can just add to it.

[mperez7372]

Realize that each person you speak to has something valuable to say, just as you do.  Start speaking one on one to people you don't know.  Nothing too scary about that!  And be yourself.  Nothing looks more awkward than someone trying too hard to be someone they are not. 

[twol]

Work with kids. They FORCE you out of your shell. They are super social and will talk and talk and talk if you let them. I was super shy like you and the kids helped me so much! They're the best

[falcon9]

Is to play like you're not scared of and do it all the time. As the more you do it the easier it gets and so all you have to do is play. 

... without having to fake it?

[Irmarie]

You should get a job where you are forced to talk to people, that helped me partially overcome my social phobia.

That is so true, I was like that to, @ my first job I had to speak to the clients and had to greet them etc. and now thanks to that I have a really good social life and I like it. Ive met alot of people and have great friends

[kapeh12]

Like a few others said they did, the first thing I did was take a job at McDonald's as a cashier because it forced me to talk to other people. 

Later in college, my roommate got me involved with ballroom dancing and I found out I was passionate about dance and being involved with the campus club really opened me up.  So another avenue would be if you have any hobby or something that you are passionate about, see if there are any local clubs involving that activity and join - that way your passion for the hobby will help you overcome your shyness - because you'll be surrounded by other like-minded people, it's easier to open up and be relaxed.

[swkstudent]

I use to be terribly shy until I learned how valuable I was and how contributing what I say can be helpful to people. Be you, relate, practice being the best you, you can be. God bless you!

Thank you