I think I had mild self-diagnosed anxiety for a large portion of my life, which really took hold in college. I went through a majority of college without speaki

I think I had mild self-diagnosed anxiety for a large portion of my life, which really took hold in college. I went through a majority of college without speaking to anyone, evaded those that did try to reach out to me, and eventually dropped out. And my online persona wasn't much different; I still remember strangers messaging me on IRC and my heart rate jumping several BPM from just a "hi". I think I have arrived at a point in life where I am no longer nervous around strangers, but despite that I can't help but want that feeling back. It's relieving that I can interact with the rest of the world, but I can't help but feel like I've lost an important part of me; not just the anxiety but a major part of my personality.