Hi, I am 20 yrs old and having a few problems with communication skills and
friendships/relationships of any kind outside of strictly professional business.
I was homeschooled all the way growing up and never had the opportunity to
have friends anywhere close to my own age until college....maybe this is part
of why I am having some problems now. I just know that I don't like the kind
of person I have become and I am not really sure how to change. I want so
badly to be at least somewhat outgoing and charismatic, and I really try to be
the kind of person I dream of being but it just doesn't work. I am shy about
opening up to people or speaking in front of groups, but usually the even
greater problem is that I sometimes just don't know what to say or how to be
a good conversationalist. I can manage in writing and unspoken words, but
when it comes to having conversational skills I am a total flunk. I have no
problem with showing interest in someone else's life and being a good
listener, but when someone wants to have a deeper conversation or asks me
to talk more that a few sentences about myself or share my feelings or
opinions on things is when I have problems. Do you have any suggestions as
to what I can do that will help me to overcome my communication problems
and become the confident conversationalist that I dream of being?