The Free Dictionary's definition
shy
1. Easily startled; timid.
2.
a. Drawing back from contact or familiarity with others; retiring or reserved.
b. Marked by reserve or diffidence: a shy glance.
Definitely describes me.
I went to my plants society meeting last night, first meeting back for the year since December, and I was nervous about what to say to the others. I thought about what was recommended, about genuinely caring about others. I do care about these people, I just have a bad memory, and forget details about the people. I also tend to get more forgetful when I'm nervous, and so just don't say anything because my head is completely blank. I tend to forget personal details about them, like how many kids they have and what their kids names and ages are, and these things are a good conversation starter. I thought it might be a good idea to write some of this down somewhere and read it before the meeting.
I also suffer with finding topics to talk about. My life is boring and not interesting. When I go out to lunch with work people they all talk about sports, news, restaurants, going out, events, holidays etc, all topics I know nothing about. I probably should at least pay attention to the news so I can talk about that, but I find it boring and negative a lot of the time and prefer to avoid it.
This Sunday I'm going to a Waterwatch lunch, I'm in a local group monitoring river creek water quality, and it is part of a nationwide program, so there's a big lunch for all Victorian groups. None of my group is going, so I probably won't know anyone there apart from my Waterwatch coordinator. Going to a social event knowing no-one is my idea of cruel & unusual punishment, but I'm trying to improve my skills and get out of my comfort zone.
Any tips/advice?