Dear Plumpy,
I’m moving next month, so I’ll be starting at a new school in September. I’m SO FREAKED OUT. Seriously. Just thinking about arriving at my new school and seeing new kids makes my stomach hurt. I’m naturally a pretty shy person. I’ve got friends at my school now, but I’ve known every one of them since we were four. It’s easy to make friends when you’re four! It’s a lot harder when you’re eleven. Can you help me, please?
- Shy Girl
Dear SG,
OK, first things first: breathe. Deeply. In and out. J Alright – now that we’ve got the initial panic over with, we can talk. My dear, you’ll be fine. I’m not just saying that – I know it from experience. My cousin Ruby is the shiest hippo I’ve ever met – and yet, she has lots and lots of friends. Why? Because she always tries to be friendly, even when she’s feeling shy. I called her and read her your letter and she had some advice to pass along:
1. When you arrive at your new school, look for the other shy kids. They’ll be just as happy to meet you as you will to meet them.
2. Join a club – you’ll meet kids with interests like yours.
3. Join a sports team – this is usually tricky for shy kids, but sports can be a great way to get in exercise AND have fun.
4. Help out – if you see anyone in need, offer your help. That’s a great way to meet people.
5. Meet your neighbors – you might just be lucky enough to find a kid your own age on your street.
6. Keep in touch with your old friends – when you’re feeling lonely, write your friend an email or send them a letter.
Good luck to you, SG. I just know things will work out.
Love,
Plumpy
Dear Plumpy,
I’m a member of a certain forum, and one of my closest friends there is quitting. We became friends online, so I’ll never hear from them again. I’m not an extremely shy person, so it won’t be too hard for me to make new friends, but this particular friend has helped me through a lot, and I really don’t want them to go. They say they’re quitting because “everyone” hates them there, but I KNOW that’s not true, someone has really hurt their feelings, and I want to help them like they helped me. Do you have any advice on what I should do? I’ve thought of messaging their friends on that site to help me, but I don’t know if I should….
Sincerely,
Don’t want to lose one of my besties
PS- zacspet, no one hates you, and no one who matters wants you to go. </3
That’s so pretty great advice there, although if you’re shy, I don’t think you’d likely join a club/team. But I love snail mailing letters. Something about sending messages the old-fashioned way is awesome to me! :D
I am so shy! I never thought of these before, maybe they will help me. Especially the “look for the other shy kids” part!! I always end up friends with the ‘popular’ kids- the nice ones. Maybe I should try to mke friends with shy kids! ♥Terrier
I’m not shy around my friends or my family but I am when I’m around other people. Both my brothers play basketball in the winter and summer so I’m always at basketball games. All the kids in the stands there are 7 and they ALL want to be my friend and color pictures with me. They come and say, “do you want to color with me?” And ALL of their parents are staring at me and I don’t know what to say! So I end up saying, “I think I’m going to just watch the game!” EK! I don’t like being shy!
dear Plumpy I have the same promblem.
I am going to a new school too in September.
:(
Im soooooooo incredibly shy thanks dude Plump1!
I’m not shy around friends, but i am afraid to perform
listeb to her advice!!!
no she is mine serious cereal actuly she is mt bff’s bff
Moonstar is my BFF!