To feel such a deep longing to be around other people, yet intensely shy

[brsn]

I'm incredibly shy and always have been, yet I have this really deep sense of loneliness and longing to be around other people and socialising and having fun. It's so conflicting and confusing trying to navigate. I feel like I'm a socially anxious extrovert.

Does anyone else feel like this?

I know how you feel though I’d call myself an introvert but not necessarily shy. I like activities that are with people but not necessarily engaging with people. For example my old church (RC) I could go to a Mass and participate in the service but could slip out without really speaking to anyone. Same with like a lecture, or going to a movie theatre. You are around people but don’t have to engage. Would that help?

I was like this more so when I was younger so I do feel your pain. I can still be self conscious at times in some scenarios. I went to an art class the other day that was companionable but didn’t involve any intense interaction. It was nice.

That's interesting, I've never really thought about it before but I think I'm like this. I work at home but I often go and work in a cafe for a bit so there are people around but I don't have to speak to anyone. Similarly I like doing Parkrun, I turn up and run surrounded by people but don't feel any pressure to speak to anyone unless I want to.

a friend once told me I was an introverted extrovert.
i love being around people and socialising but can be shy and more so in groups with loud personalities. I’m better with small groups of people or 1-2-1