You know, that's exactly it. He's the first boyfriend I've had who hasn't used me, been completely anti-social, or done something entirely stupid to wreck the relationship like all of the others guys I've gone out with. I don't want to lose him so I'm trying to be this perfect angel. I'm a very self-conscious person. He could give a rat's ass about people's opinions and has even told me that I shouldn't care about what other people think. I try, but I guess I don't try hard enough. I don't know if this helps any, but he's a hardcore liberal and I come from a more conservative family but I haven't really decided which side of the political scale I'm on. He assumes I'm conservative and that's the reason for my being so self-conscious, but whatever. No wonder we haven't gotten into any arguments...I don't speak up about my opinions. What can I do to stop being so shy and start talking more?

Hey exclamationpoii, what did you do to break away from that phase?