Whenever I try and speak my mind in certain situations or act normally, I just can't do it. I'm so shy and reserved (mostly around family) that I don't even dance/sing around my parents. My voice even changes (to this small, meek, "baby" voice)! Is this normal to be so shy around my family? I think if I can be outgoing around my family and speak my mind when it needs to be spoken, it'll also help outside of my fam. I'm not so reserved outside of them, but I think I'd open up a lot more if I can get past them.

Thanks in advance :-)

I have the same problem, except my voice is really low rather than sqeeky, but if your shy around your familly its hard to open up because your probably just afraid to drop the old image of yourself in their eyes, I still haavnt gotten over it either, but unless you dislike your familly all you have to do is speak your mind, not all the time but just don't be "the quiet one".

I used to be like that, until one day I looked in the mirror and decided that if I didn't try, I could never know if I could perform in front of a crowd. That year, I entered secondary school, and I really wanted to get into choir, knowing I could sing but just didn't dare to perform in front of everyone, including my parents. I dragged my legs to go for audition, but when I was in front of the teacher interviewers, not a word could come out of my mouth as I was suddenly too 'shy'. I failed auditions, but aft that, I practised both speaking and singing in front of the mirror, pretending there were people there. After a while, I moved on to speaking to my parents more outwardly, and soon, to everyone I met. :)

One time I tried then I closed my eyes and start to think of something else then I started to sing and then I started to open my I really slow and I was still singing then I was not shy anymore I am only 10 years old and I am not shy to sing in front of people I feel proud of myself and if you try you will feel the same way!! :-)

The only way to break away from shyness is to truly change your perspective. Care not what others think and shy you will no longer be.

Being shy is actually a virtue, so don't hate it, embrace it. If you want to be more assertive, read some non-fiction books, like the self-help kind about it.