Well this is awkward. I never thought I'd turn to the internet for advice on this kind of thing, but here I am. Anyway...
Well, basically, I'm a really shy person, to the point where it's starting to get in the way. It frustrates me and makes me really annoyed with myself, because this shyness makes it hard for me to talk to new people, even when I really want to. So many times, I've wanted to approach someone and start up a conversation with them, but I never have the guts to because I'm so timid.
It frustrates me so much, because I know I can be a fun person once you get to know me better. It feels like I'm losing out on a lot of opportunities to meet new people. For example, when I went to MCM Expo in London last month, there were just so many people I'd have loved to chat with, and I'm sure the majority of them would have been really nice people! But I couldn't even force myself to say a simple 'hi' to them. Trust me, I've tried to be more outgoing, but with very little progress. I just don't know what to do. Seriously, I'm even feeling a little nervous about posting this thing. >_>"
So basically, what I'd like to know is, do any of you have any advice on how I can be a more outgoing person? Anything I can do to make it easier for me to approach people and talk to them, without being really quiet and awkward? Any advice would be really appreciated! <3

I'm actually a fairly shy individual myself. Most people who know me would disagree, but I too am a bit of a socially quiet person.

I've taken steps, however, that might be helpful:

When approaching new people, keep your head up and your eyes forward. Looking at the floor all the time makes it hard to evaluate a person's expressions, which helps to confirm whether or not they show interest in you, or if they enjoy your presence.

Be confidant. Confidence is something that everyone responds to, be it positive or negative. Don't worry about botching your first impression: how you look, or if you'll trip over your words, or if you stumble upon some unknown taboo. Believe that nothing can go wrong, and it won't.

You don't necessarily have to be super outgoing to meet people, just show that you're a comfortable person to be around, and people will flock to you.

i know that feeling xD
i'm...like that as well :O but i guess i'm the worst i can't even respond to someone who wants to shake my hands..=_= and they thought i don't like them.. but really! i was happy when they tried to shake my hands..but my hands just can't move! lol

but i can manage it sometimes..when i don't think of what's going to happen next..like.. "would they be angry if i do this? whould they like me?or get mad at me?" that'll be the reason we'll get nervous and lessen our self confidence.. so when approaching someone.. i suggest you to be more possitive. be what you are.. let them see what you really are..that you're outgoing person, and fun to be with

sorry bad english ^^" i hope you could understand it anyway

I'm the same way. I've moved a lot in the last few years and making friends became really hard. I'm beyond shy, but if you try to just be yourself you're bound to make friends. That doesn't necessarily mean to chit chat. Now and then I just wave or give a smile and people talk to me. When it comes to making conversation it never means that you should always talk, but smiling and waving doesn't always work. Be yourself and take the risks. That's a valuable lesson that I've learned. Now I have a lot of friends from different places that I adore and trust. Life is a wild ride and works in the quirkiest of ways, now and then you have to step away from it's oddities and do things yourself

I'm actually really shy myself I don't even know anybody in my town and I've lived here five years I just can't bring myself to talk to anyone.

I have the same problem and it doesn't help that I have a speech delay. My chef instructor help me break out of the shell of it by have me being the host and the cashier of the restaurant that my senior class run. I got use to it with my time doing it. I still shy and without the push of my teacher I withdraw from it a bit now. So if you have a friend or someone that can give you a push have them or if you have a friend aroud you might be more of yourself around new people.

I’m not going to lie, I’m shy. Although I would like to believe that I have come further in my shyness and that I’m not as shy as I used to be I apparently still am somewhat. As you will learn after reading this… the opinions of others doesn’t matter. It’s all about how YOU feel about yourself. So I’m going to help you with what helps me... (sorry about both the length and somewhat harshness of this, but I’m trying to be helpful and not sugar coat anything)

1. Smile when you speak and seem happy and confident. If you try to act it you will become it. You don’t need to be super out there, just a nice smile and fake confidence will do. Talk like you are talking to someone you know, not a stranger. Just do your best, that’s all that matters. (:

2. People are nicer than you think. Most people wont shun you for saying “hi” to them or starting up a conversation, and if they do it was their loss for not wanting to be social. But most people will appreciate a “hi” from you or even a smile

3. DON'T THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING! I cannot stress this enough, most of the time people lose opportunities because they think about all the “what ifs”. Its like pulling a band-aid off... just do it fast and it dulls the pain. Then instead of stressing about how to get the band-aid off without hurting yourself, you can focus on treating the cut beneath it. in other words, just get though the initial starter fast and then you can work on the rest after.

4. Stop being afraid of failure. Massive failure is the key to success Now because i am also a somewhat shy person; I know this can often be a problem. Michael Jordan said, “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Moral of story: Not every conversation or “hi” is going to turn out well.
You will receive the following many times while trying to become less shy and start conversations:
-Weird looks
- People not wanting to talk
- People that don’t respond
- Another shy person (kind of hard to converse with sometimes but just try and who knows)
- (5% chance) a jerk that thinks they are better than you. IMPORTANT: the key is to not let that stuff get you down, because when you do hit those people that are nice and sincere and smile, say “hi”, or who jump into the conversation, its well worth it. So don’t be afraid to fail, in fact embrace it and use it as a learning experience. Also, keep in mind that you will probably never see these people in 10 years and that their opinions don’t matter at all. In fact, you may even forget the whole incident in a matter of days or weeks... so don’t be afraid to act dumb.

5. Do things that will help you learn to speak in crowds, and learn how to think off on the spot. (When you are shy, talking to new people can make you feel like you are on the spot) Try taking a speech class if you are older, going to a karaoke place, or if you are in school, joining a speech and debate team. Just learning to speak in front of others will help you learn to speak CONFIDENTLY in front of stranger. (you don’t really need to be confident, just seem like it, eventually you will be able to be yourself around them like you are with your friends)

6. Find something to get you over the “fear hump”. Whether it’s a song, a quote, or just shutting your eyes. Find something to help you get over the initial fear of starting a conversation. (For Example: I wrote my favorite “go getter” quote on the brim of my cap. It says: “Life is short, seize the day, when you get older, you’ll wish you had.” Whenever I see it I’m reminded of who I want to become and it helps me to get over the fear hump.)

7. Helpful exercises to being less shy.
-Ask workers in the supermarket where to find something. (It can help you with getting over the fear “hump”) and its their job, so they have to be somewhat nice if they don’t want an angry letter to their manager.
- Just say hi and smile to random people. Trust me it helps in building small amounts of confidence in the shy department and helps you to seem like a happy person
- Find something about a person and comment or compliment them. People respond pretty well to complements, plus it can help lead to a conversation.

Now we are all different. None of this stuff may work for you. So all I have to say is just do your best, have fun, and there’s nothing wrong with being shy

Thank you so much for the advice everyone ;w; I really appreciate it and I'll take all of it to heart, thank you. >7, don't worry about the length/harshness (I didn't find it very harsh anyway), everything you said was really helpful. ^^ So thanks.

I'm still kind of shy, but I've gotten a lot better than when I was younger... :/ Just like what >>7 said, don't think about the "what-ifs"! If you end up embarrasing yourself just laugh at it off and don't take it too seriously.