be less self-conscious

I still can’t quite figure it out: is MY self-consciousness really a result of me thinking too little of myself, or could it actually be that I think too much of myself? In the earlier years, I’d’ve said, sure, I have self-esteem issues. These days, I’m opening up to the possibilty that I may just love myself soooo much that I hate the very thought of being scrutinized by other people. If people scrutinize you, they can find fault, right? Maybe I like living in a fantasy world in which I have no faults. So, I’m on the defence: trying constantly to either defend my idea of a perfect self (which makes me a little paranoid), or to avoid situations that puts my self up for close observation.
Though most people’d fall for the whole shy-guy thing, all my closest friends agree: I’m a bit on the egocentric side. While I have no problem with being conceited, though, I AM tired of being afraid to be myself around people. I already know how great a guy I am, I just wish I could share it.