OK, I am 15 years old and I can't talk to anybody. If I do my face tuns as red as tomato, even if someone talks to me. My shyness is also stopping me from doing things I really want to do, like try out for sports, for fear of people thinking I'm not any good. And I hate to go anywhere where there are people, its really awkward to me. I'm am sooooooo sick of being shy and I don't know what to do, everybody says "your in highschool now, get over it, just talk to people," even my teachers and parents say that, but its not as easy as they think, beacause their not shy. If anybody has any real advice, it would be really appreciated. Thanks.

The best way to overcome shyness is through experience. It's like the chicken or the egg. You got to be brave to gain experience by interacting with others more often. Once you gain more experience, you will be more confident about yourself.

Just step up to the plate and go for it!

Why do you care what others think. It's what you think about yourself that really matters. If you try something and your not good at it, OK, try something else. That is how we figure it out.

You are going to have to push yourself and talk to yourself every single day. Once you get past that fear and anxiety of something, then you are okay right? And you probably say to yourself "I'm so glad I did that". You have to remember that when you are going through those scary blushing moments. If you don't start pushing yourself and making yourself do things, you will the harder it will be and the further back you will go. You're biggest enemy is yourself right now. You have to change that. You will regret certain things in life, which of course everyone regrets things to a certain extent. Like me for example. I was the same way about trying out for sports. I'm 35 years old and I still regret being too afraid of the unknown, and not just going out there and doing it. Be like Nike... Just Do It. If you mess up... so what? At least you tried right? You'll get more respect, and more importantly, respect yourself more, all the while gaining confidence, for just trying. When you are talking to someone, just listen to them. Listen to what they are saying, instead of worrying about you. It's not like you have to go out there and talk to everyone you see. Just be yourself, but also coach yourself to think positive, move forward. Give yourself a theme song when you walk around... something that makes you feel good... sing it in your head when you are feeling anxious. Don't be afraid of yourself. If you have to go somewhere where there are people, go there as if you are there for you and only you. You don't need to worry about anybody else that is there except you, your family, your friends. That is it. You don't care about those other people. Of course I'm not saying be snobby or rude. I'm just saying there is no need to feel afraid of people that you may never see again. When spoken to, take deep breaths, slightly turn up the corners of your mouth, sing your song (while listening), and just relax and be yourself.
You just do you... love yourself, be confident, hold your head high.

Also, playing sports will give you confidence. If there is something that you really want to try, then you really should try it. Sports is 90% mental and 10% physical. My son is quite athletic, playing three different sports, and I can't tell you how many times one little thing can completely throw someone's game off all because they have lost their confidence. Confidence is key for you. It wouldn't hurt to Google or go to your local book store and find some self help books in confidence geared toward teens. It may help you to gain the confidence you need for now and in the future.