Anyone else come out of their shell late?

Good on you OP and 24 isn't old at all. Imagine you started coming out of your shell at 40

What do you think suddenly changed?

Kinda became very aware of my age and that im a very future orientated person, and as such I was missing out on alot of the now.

I just got up one day and thought "I really need to take control of my life"

see ive always wanted to do alot of the things I mentioned, I just never had the guts to do them, but once I actualy did somthing about it, I realised no one was specificaly watching out for me to fail or to laugh at me, and I actually had a great time (and get complimented on my dancing lol) even though I think I look like a lanky gangly mess lol.

I guess as hard as it is to overcome these things, not many people have someone whos gonna do the work for them, or pull them along on their effort,

I ultimately realised the only person who could help me was myself, and the same goes for most people.

I'm 19 now, and I've definitely become much more confident, though I've still got a long way ahead of me :P

I wish i could take that on board. Unfortunately for about 8 years of my earlier life i was surrounded by people who were waiting for me to do something they could judge me for and would put me down constantly so i'm afraid i might never shake that.

I know what you mean! I use to be very reserved and almost hide from social interactions. Also like you, I also dont much fancy the way I use to be, compared to now my whol quality of life was alot less, being more happy with urself and confident really helps a great deal!


It's really great that people think you are mature and pleasant to be around, sorta means you can get on well with a greater variety of people than the typical people of the same age who might not have matured so much.

I also think with inferiority complex comes alot of strength and self reliance once you finally start to progress on from that, and I'm sure you are no exception! -----> Absolutely!

Thanks for the post! yeah I know 24 is young I guess it's just most of my mates already have kids and are married or engaged, where as I just want to have fun and party lol, not that their choices are bad, I just want to enjoy my youth in my own way, while I have it lol.

I use to have that too, I use to be very anti-social and a bit of a loner, then I became friends with some guys who gradually became more and more like "LADS" dont get me wrong I had some fun with them but I'm not really that kind of person, and theyd bant and judge 24/7 if somthing wasnt done in their way

right down to how you dressed, hair, girls you liked,

didnt do much for the confidence when I didnt fit any of their types for those characteristics, eventually I left and found new friends who I liked because we genuinely got along well, were actualy a bit of a misfit group if im honest (different personalities, tastes, styles etc) and I like that

generally though there will always be someone who will try and get others down, make them feel bad, judge them etc,

one thing I can say on that note is that, as I get older, the less I care what these people think of me, its my life and they are not really a part of it, and probably wont ever be, so why give them the satisfaction by giving in.

even if you make a mistake, or a fool of urself, if you enjoy yourself or have fun/a laugh in the process then its time well spent, and a good experience.

I truely hope you shake this because life is pretty great once you find the things you like about it, and are not afraid to embrace it!

all the best.

I'm still in the process of it, but have come a long way in the past few years. When I started sixth form I was extremely shy, uncomfortable around groups of people, awkward. During college I slowly became more confident, made friends, joined social groups, went abroad alone... I still have a way to go before I'm 100% comfortable in my own skin (but is anyone ever 100% comfortable?), but I'm happy with the progress I've made so far

The thing is the times where i do come out my shell i just act plain weird because i am weird, and lot's of people don't like that

It's your life, and by all means do what you want to do, don't look at other people's lives!
You will probably find that most would, really and truly, envy you for being able to enjoy yourself!

I feel I've more confident now I'm in my late 20s than I was compared to how I was in my teens and early 20s. Although I still wouldn't describe myself as a confident person I'm able to stick up for myself now whilst back then I was a complete doormat.