I was exactly like you, an introvert who wanted badly to become more social but felt held back from doing so. "It just doesn't come naturally to me," I thought. A few of my then classmates were naturals at public speaking and going out; I thought they must simply be born extroverts, ignoring the fact that socializing is a skill and that every skill can be learned and unlearned. Although I needed to hone this skill into one I can use through my entire life, I did not want to lose myself and my value system in the name of becoming social. Eventually, I succeeded: now, when I go out, everyone around me thinks that I am an extrovert. When I tell them my story, they don't believe it, as I seem to have no issues interacting with people. This inspired me to share my journey with others who may either be introverted or striving to improve their social skills.