pianohero

me and my boyfriend are planning to go in the spring for only 10 days. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best places to go, how long we should stay in each place? How many countries to go to in such a small amount of time? How much money to bring? Train or rent a car?

I used to be SUPER shy. In elementary school, I had to wear a mini microphone on my shirt for people to hear me when I did talk, I thought everyone had one but apparently I was the only one! Things got a little better in middle school, and by highschool I had a core group of friends that I was completely outgoing with. THis goes for pretty much everyone who is shy..you are yourself and pretty freaking outgoing and loud with your family and friends, but in group situations where you don’t know people you become shy and worried what to say and what everyone is thinking about you. Well let me just tell you, you can change. Anyone can change if that is what they want. You just CANNOT keep calling youself shy! Its good to get it out there and notice that you could become more talkative instead of just leaving it unsaid. I think the worst feeling is thinking that other people think that you are shy and wonder why you never talk. I have felt that way in extended family situations or in class when I don’t know anyone. Basically here are some things you can do.. some might sound silly or strange..but how willing are you to change?? Plus noone ever needs to know! ha..:)
1.) make a list of all the good things about yourself as if it were coming from someone elses point of view. Try to start out with at least 10 words or reasons you are a good person and why your friends like being around you.(She always cares that everyone is happy)
2.)make a list of at least 5 things/topics you are interested in. For example Art, movies, politics, music, playing games. Basically a topic that you like to talk about and is easy to talk about for you.
3.) RELAX. It may sound silly, or feel weird at first, but download or look up some meditation music on youtube or itunes/limewire. Put your headphones on and listen to it before you fall asleep. While you are listening to it, visualize yourself in social situations being very talkative, and see yourself effortlessly chatting away, not caring what others think. When you visualize, you are bringing those very same thoughts to you and it will be easy for them to actually come true.
4.) You know those times when you are in a situation with a person or a couple people where you know you arent talking, you see yourself being the only shy one in the room and you are like SHOOT they must think I’m weird I NEED TO THINK OF SOMETHING TO SAY AND SAY IT! That is probably the worst thing because it only makes you more worried, to the point where you are definitely not going to be able to talk! What you have to do here is just SAY ANYTHING. As soon as you begin thinking this thought don’t let yourself think it all the way just SAY ANYTHING. I promise it is better than nothing, and to be honest, I am sure the people around don’t even care. I am sure they are just worrying about themselves anyway. It’s not like you are thinking about what they are saying are you? If you really cant think of ANYTHING to just SPIT OUT at that very moment, just say “What are you guys talking abouot, I just zoned out..” This will show that you arent really shy, you were just tired? And then it will get you into the conversation and people will think it is funny how honest you sound.
5.) Get a notebook.. IN this notebook everyday, pick one THING to write about. An everyday thing that you never really notice because it is just so random. For example, A toothbrush. You can talk about what the toothbrush looks like, the color, how long you have had it, what it reminds you of. That will branch out to a story maybe or something funny to say about it. ” I was watching a tv show last night and the girl was really mean and stuck the other girls toothbrush in the toilet”. It might seem weird, but if you choose random things to write about, it will cause your mind to become creative and you will notice how your thoughts will expand, leaving more things to talk about in random conversations!
6.) If you are really desperate,(which I was) there is a bunch of websites you can search in google that allow you to download hypnosis. Some you had to pay like 12 dollars for(which again, I did.lol) and some are free. Just like meditating, you can listen to them as often as you want when you are about to go to sleep. They are audio recordings that have a bunch of different topics to beneifit and boost your inner self to become the best you can be! Believe it or not there are A TON that have to do with confidence, becoming talkative, quit being shy, conversation starters and so much more its pretty crazy. If you are really committed and want to change, I promise you these help. You just have to listen to them almost every night and they work into your subconsious mind.

I hope that helped. Wow I just wrote a lot! I guess I am just so passionate about this because I finally have broke out of my shell and its almost like I have started living. You basically just have to realize that there are a lot more shy people out there, than people who have always had it easy and been outgoing their whole lives. I promise you, if you just focus on the positive, and believe that you can change..you will! You are the only person holding yourself back because honestly..noone else really cares! Think about it..Every other person cares about themselves, and how they are being percieved in this world. Just like you, they want to be looked at as someone who is outgoing and liked. You can think that it takes time, but why think it if you could become a new person in just a few days?? Its really up to you!!
Goodluck everyone:)

I’m at Suny Oswego right now studying art therapy. Well.. they only have it as a minor here, so I haven’t taken any classes that actually are Art Therapy classes, only Art and Psychology classes. I am excited to actually learn more about it. If anyone has already graduated and is an Art Therapist, could you tell me how you like it? Was it difficult to find a job? I live in upstate NY and its funny when I tell people what I want to do, they have NO clue at all what I am talking about, I am nervous there will not be any positions for me in my area after I get my degree! I am really excited though because I have changed my major so many times and Art Therapy is the ONLY choice that I know for sure with out any questions I will want to do for the rest of my life..it involves art and helping people..how could it get any better?