Wheeeee, yeah I used to be exactly like that too. In most cases I still do it, but not as bad. Around my friends I'm always happy and joke around but when I meet someone new I typically don't say much and just listen and absorb the situation. I dunno if it's being shy or just research on seeing how these people tick and disect them by their speech and actions. Either way is irrelevant the point is I know where you're coming from. The best thing to do is NOT to get out of dating, but to throw your ass into even more uncomfortable social situations. However there is one thing you need to do first. You say you hate your boring life and you aren't who you want to be. That's where you gotta start. Change what you don't like. The best part about being you is that you're the only thing in the world you can control. Don't like who you are? Guess what, you can play God and CONTROL that. Look inside yourself and make an inventory, find what you wanna change and stampede it. After that the whole being savvy with dating part just comes from experience and practice. I used to clam up when first with a girl. Now I'll be just as cheerful as with my friends because I really couldn't give a shit how well this date goes. Whether the date ends with a kiss or a cold door in the face, I'm going home happy. I'll be happy tomorrow and I'll be happy for the rest of my life (6.5 years of severe depression will swiftly teach you the value of being happy and facing darkness with a smile).

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Heit ist mein taug.