I never had fantasies of being alone on a boat. So I think I was less introverted than you, and I was only introverted in situations where I had to meet new people without moral support from an old friend.
I think it took me from grade 4-5ish to grade 11. More than half a decade. I was trying, too. I think self-hypnosis helped a bit initially. After that, drama classes. And purposely throwing myself into uncomfortable and terrifying situations - ie. improv workshops. I can still feel the chills.
I'm an ENTJ or something on Jung. It used to take me 3 years to warm up to people, now I can click with people in a few minutes.
Oh, smile a lot. Laugh as much as possible. And remember, no worries about being judged - you don't want to be friends with the judgemental types anyhow right?
|