I decided that I didn't care what other people's opinions of me were. This was after nearly pathological shyness and embarrassment at being "me" when I was 11-1

I decided that I didn't care what other people's opinions of me were. This was after nearly pathological shyness and embarrassment at being "me" when I was 11-14. Then my family moved and the new location let me be a new person with new friends. Also, puberty and maturity played a large part, obviously. The not caring about what other people thought had its own problems that took me much longer to recognize and work through but it did get me out of my shy period. Personal growth is hard. After we moved I made a new best friend. His brother, who was a few years older than me, was extremely outgoing and could talk to anyone about anything. I learned by observing him that asking questions was a great way to get to know people and hold up my end of a conversation.