Is it normal to be scared to tell anyone anything?

I'm just coming out of that myself actually. My entire life, up until about a year and a half ago, I never spoke to anyone about anything, ever, and trusted absolutely no one but myself. I grew up with only one or two "friends", but always preferred to be alone, sometimes I still do. My family never bothered to speak to me or ask me questions, neither did my teachers, since my parents had me tested to see if I was mute, and I was medically declared mute, even though I talk to myself when I'm alone. My teachers never asked me anything because my file showed I was mute, and for some reason never bothered to get me a sign language teacher... I would just work endlessly through the entire class, then at the end I'd get up and leave for the next class. That was my life then, now I talk alot, I've got a great group of friends, still don't trust a few of them, but old habits die hard, but I still don't talk to my parents much. I'm like you with the religion thing, parents are hardcore Christians, and I was raised as one. Nowadays I find myself wondering if I really want to actually be one or not... Very long story short, yes, you are normal and there's other people who're going through the same thing as you. To various degrees of course...

-Pure

I completely understand where you are coming from, my family does not understand me in any way, shape, or form. For years I tried to understand them and get them to understand me. I failed. They each see an interpretation of me, my dad sees a son who (he thinks) needs instructions, my mom sees a little boy who (she thinks) needs advice/a lifeplan. My brother just sees a stranger who he occasionally calls to remind of upcoming birthdays etc. I don't feel the need to share anything with them and conversations with them feel like interrogations, in the end I moved away to a different city, family is easier to cope with at a distance. If you are around them 24/7 it will drive you crazy.

There are so many things my family does not know about me and I don't feel that any good will come of sharing these things with them. As I grew older I found people I could open up to and it makes it easier to deal with. Some of my family members believe me to be Christian but little do they know that this girl does things that would give them a heart attack if they knew the truth. It sucks to guard my thoughts but I have no intention of hurting them. So I found others to open up to, or perhaps, they found me.

I know how hard it is to step outside your comfort zone. But sometimes you meet people that you connect with and you find yourself sharing truths about yourself that you didn't know were there and it is beautiful. Try not to become so closed off that you miss out on these experiences. Life is unpredictable and sometimes you find your loved ones in unexpected places.

Your story sounds so much like me. I have parents much like yours. Maybe because they're so close to any other way of life that it's hard to talk to them & share your opinion? Idk maybe that's not it for u, but it def could be.

I don't either and could care less about what some bozos on the street can think of it!

You would actually be surprised at how normal that is. I have a christian step mother, & her & I will never get along. We fight constantly & are always at each others throats. That is because I am not christian like her & I have no desire to be. However, I did have a traumatic childhood, so my reasons may differ from everyone else's. The fact is though, some kids are more social than others. My father was just like you when he was young & now he is the life of a party. I think once you grow up & mature a good bit, you will be fine. If it is traumatic situations that have brought this on, then I suggest maybe seeking a counselor.

You sound so familiar.. I think it's normal but it shouldn't be.

I'm the exact same. I don't like to open up and when I do, I hate myself for it afterwards. Some of us are just more introverted, especially when we've had a rough/traumatic family life or childhood... I can't really relate to my family either because we have different views.. So I don't tell them much of anything about my personal life.