Hello,

I completely empathize with your situation. I'm 28, also have
acne (still) and have felt much the same way you do in teaching. I
myself taught and performed music for many years. Oddly
enough, while on stage, I never had any of the fears that I have
when in less formal social settings. I've come to believe it's
because I fear the unexpected. Unlike a performance, where I've
rehearsed what to do and know what the reaction will be,
day-to-day life is more random. There is no "script" to follow, if
you will.

This may be why you're so at ease with your fiancée. You know
what to expect; you know how to "read" him for the most part. I
wonder, when you say your work is being affected, how so?

As far as help goes, since I have limited funds at the moment for
treatment, I've had to rely on self-observation. Keeping a journal
has been helpful. It makes you aware of your more private
emotions and puts fears in perspective. It also can help if you
find others with similar obstacles to lean on share experiences.

I also recommend keeping an eye on this group. I've gotten a lot
of helpful tips and advice from its contributors.

Gook luck
sanvicente49


--- In SocialFitnessForum@yahoogroups.com, "teacherkasey76
<teacherkasey@a...>" <teacherkasey@a...> wrote:
> Hi! I am so glad to know there are others out there who feel the
same
> way I do. I am a kindergarten teacher and I feel like a freak
> sometimes because I cannot interact socially with the other
teachers
> in my school. I am always in my classroom and dread walking
down the
> hallway. I also have a lot of trouble talking with the parents of
my
> students. I love my job and the kids and can't picture myself
doing
> anything else. However, my shyness is affecting my job.
>
> I also have a lot of trouble outside of work. When I am alone
with my
> fiancee I am a not afraid to say or do anything around him. I
can be
> myself. I don't know what makes me feel so comfortable
around him but
> I am. But if we are out with his friends (because I really don't
have
> any because I am so shy) I am a different person. I clam up
and don't
> know what to say or how to act. I have low self esteem
because I had
> severe acne when I was in college and I still have a few minor
scars.
> I always feel that I am not good enough to be around others or
that
> they will think I am not good enough because of my acne
scars. I'm
> afraid that I won't say the right things or that I will offend
> someone else by what I say.
>
> I know this is a vague question, but I am just wondering what
others
> out there have done to get over their shyness or to atleast
control
> it a little bit better? I am willing to do just about anything that
> will help!!!