Lately have been feeling afraid to put myself out there.
Why are you afraid to put yourself out there?
I get the sense that people might hurt me because I don't feel very confident about myself.
Not wanting to socialize because of having low self-confidence is something that many people have experienced. The good news is that it can be overcome with help. If you are persistently unable to make attempts to put yourself out there, you should reach out and speak with a therapist to find ways to overcome your low self-confidence.
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I'm serious, seeking some help could get you out of this shell that you put yourself in. Therapy has helped so many people become the type of person they want to be.