After reading this thread, I was reminded of a couple of quotes I have collected.
"The reason they say not to care what other people think of you is because people think of you far less than you imagine."
AND
"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
When I was in middle school, I was like just about everyone else at that time - trying to figure out who I was and how to make everyone like me. I found that most people will like you for who you are. You just need to be comfortable enough with yourself to show them. If people don't like you, then there is obviously something wrong with them, not you. I genuinely like who I am and this allows me to be comfortable with anyone I interact with. People are drawn to confidence. I think shyness is tied with a lack of self-confidence or a fear of making social mistakes. If you are sure of yourself and accept that everyone makes social mistakes sometimes and that no one is focused on you as much as you are, you'll be much happier. It may surprise you, but there is not a spotlight shining down on you and only you in gatherings, making people focus on you.
