Arimeh's Eden Im a bit the same. Ive never been able to stand up and speak my mind in front of people right from school age. I would literally feel my heart beating out of my chest.

I was really stuck when I got together with DF coz he is a complete Hermit!! he has actually adopted all of my friends & will chat to some of the girls as much as I do lol.

I find I have the biggest problem saying no to people now & standing up for myself with people Im not comfortable around. Toomanyshoes Im overweight too & I think this does have a bit to do with it, but I also reached out to a few people I admired at one stage in my hobby and was just so greatful they were prepared to spend their time on me when all of a sudden they dropped me like a hot potato coz a certain 'friend' of mine had spitefully 'warned' them off of me Now THAT was a huge kick in the teeth for me & my confidence. I no longer have that friend and my confidence has improved heaps that I don't rely on other people to help me socialize.

I think you have to put yourself in the situation first, there's no easy way to do it, and you become more comfortable over time the more you do it. I find I don't make many friends through work, however have lifetime friends through my hobby .