Tips for Overcoming Social Anxiety?

[whirlybird5]

Here goes!

For a very long time, I've been uncomfortable in my own skin. I've never quite felt like I belonged anywhere, never really connected with people emotionally as much as I have been longing to. I'm an introverted person who deals with a lot of social anxiety but I love people and being around people; its just that no matter how hard I work at it or stay mindful, I am uncomfortable with myself and fear that everyone around me, therefore, becomes uneasy and stifled. This may or may not be the case with folks in my life but this internal perception has caused me a lot of turmoil over the years, and affected numerous aspects of my life. It's made it very difficult for me to stick up for myself, talk to strangers or connect with anyone deeper than surface level. As a result, I feel extremely lonely and isolated much of the time, and I worry that I won't be able to get the things I desire out of life given my inhibitions. Anyone have a similar situation?