How should I become more open and social?

Hmm Im reading a book called “How to win friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. It teaches you how to develop a very pleasing personality and has helped many people. Might not be exactly what you’re looking for but it’s a start.

Oh, that is hard to say. Independent people usually have a rebellious nature and confidence. You need a lifetime of confidence. Its something your parents should’ve been helping you to build. And it sounds like your not the rebellious kind either.
Making friends is mostly about the confidence you exude. People are generally not drawn to shy withdrawn people. Unless you encounter a scam artist. Then you are right up their alley. Build your confidence and the rest will follow naturally. If your still fearful, than explain to your parents that they will not be around forever and you need some freedom to explore and to build your confidence so you won’t be taken advantage of. Start with going out on your own shopping or ask someone from school to go with you to the movies. You can develop friends one person at a time. Ask them about themselves. Get to know all the different type of people and ask the ones you trust about what would they do in different situations. Stick to the people whos views seem more in line with yours. Then in time branch out and try different things. Its like anything in life. If you don’t taste all the flavors of icecream, than you really can’t say which one is your favorite. Good luck. The book idea @rawrgrr suggests sounds it may be helpful.

It sounds as if there are two challenges to overcome. One is how to become self-sufficient. The other is how to become more comfortable socially. If your goal is to eventually move out of the family’s house, then these are the two buckets of skills needed. The good news is that they can be done in small steps.

It is time to sit down with your parents and tell them that this is a goal you want to achieve. Ask them for their help. Put together a list of what skills a person needs to have in order to be successfully self-sufficient. For example: basic money management. This includes how to open and maintain a checking account. Handling bills is another. Banks sometimes hold classes on this designed for people just starting out. Time and practice will hone these skills.

Becoming socially comfortable can be a bit more challenging. Take comfort in the fact that many people have felt the same you that you do. What they found is that the more they were exposed to others outside of the family circle provided opportunity to learn from others. Join a club, take a class, do volunteer work, get a job. What you may discover is that you enjoy being around others and just needed more experience in order to realize it.

Don’t buy into your limitations due to the family story. If you tell yourself the “story” that you are somehow disadvantaged because of your background you WILL be at a disadvantage.
Self fulfilling prophecy. Just practice being friendly, initiating conversations, taking baby steps out of your comfort zone. Fake it til you make it and don’t “should” on yourself. ;-)

I agree with @Coloma. You need to tell yourself a new story. How do you make your story positive?

I am a stong, healthy individual with strong survivor skills. I can do it!

Go ahead, write your new story. Then go out an be it. Live it.

I prefer to be alone most of the time. I get along well with others at work and actually have a good/dark sense of humor. Most people would say I’m pleasant to be around. That said, I tend to dislike large crowds and start longing for solitude after a few hours. People tend to irritate me.

I am the same way. I have been working at my job in a factory for 9 yrs. I never knew how to start a conversation without it looking forced, because I could tell people knew I was uncomfortable talking. I started to stutter.. Well after 9 yrs. I am a janitor and I make my rounds ALL OVER the plant ALL day. I smile and wave at people and say things like “hey hows your day going?” or ” How are you today?” or if coming back from our days off ask how their days off were. It took me 9 yrs to feel comfortable enough to start talking to people. Just start off slow with a smile and say hi. And its not forced anymore. I still sit by myself in the breakroom and read my books or play games on my phone. There are nice people in the factory, but there are alot of gossipers, and I want no part of that so I rather be by myself and try to be nice to everyone..