Cracking My Shell

Yesterday’s NaBloPoMo prompt asked “If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?”.

It didn’t really take much thought for me to identify something that I  would like to change about myself. For months I have told anyone who will listen that I wish I could be less introverted. I really enjoy meeting new people but I am very shy initially and sometimes I feel a little socially awkward. I usually don’t spark conversations with people. I am one of those people who speaks when spoken to. In large crowds, I am usually the one who listens, nods, and seldom chimes in. I have tried to figure out ways that I could break out of my shell a little more.

Lately I have been purposely trying to do things outside of my comfort zone to break down this barrier. I really hate public speaking but each semester I sign up to teach a lecture on nursing care plans. It makes me so uncomfortable to stand up in front of 25+ people and teach. The first few minutes I sound like I inhaled helium from a balloon. As time passes, I am able to relax and by the end I am fine.

I should give myself a little credit. My social skills have improved dramatically from when I was younger but the process to becoming more extroverted seems to be taking way longer that I expected. I need a remote that enables me to fast forward to social butterfly stat! Is there an app for that?

If you could change something about yourself, what would it be?