Hey guys,

I've seen this subject talked about here before, but I want to revisit it in case anyone has some input or stuff they want to share.

I've had social anxiety since I was a teenager, and it causes me to be incredibly awkward and fake around new people. I start talking in clichés and platitudes and find it very difficult to be myself. Only after a long time of establishing what other people will accept will I open up to people, and even then I am incredibly sensitive to people not appreciating the "real" me, I take criticisms of my real self to heart. I suspect this is from the outcast experience of being a middle child I/ENTP from a family of sensors that dont accept me for who I am. Nowadays I am overanalyzing facial expressions and how people react to me in conversation, so I think i do care too much about what other people think of me.

Many ENTPs note improvements to their mental health by leaving home, so I will be doing this soon.

Occasionally, I am able to be "charming", and many onlookers have mentioned to me how "so-and-so girl likes you" or they want me to ask out someone who likes me. I know I have the capability to be social and succeed with people. This is what I see from a lot of the people here.

If anybody else has experience with social anxiety and awkwardness I would love to hear your stories about how you overcame it! :D