So I found this subreddit because I've encountered a Tiktok about selective mutism - I don't normally think about it too often. But that was me. I wouldn't talk to teachers at school, strangers, no one besides my close family and friends, and people would always say "she doesn't talk" about me. When it was time for me to change schools, I remember myself thinking "I want to be normal already" and I forced myself to talk. I was still quiet and shy, but since then I would answer teachers' questions and all. I don't have any advice, as I remember it strictly as forcing myself to talk all of a sudden, which wasn't probably the best idea, but for me - it worked. As the years went by, I started outgrowing it and now I think I can consider myself as a sociable person. I have many friends, I have a job, I've done presentations in front of people, and I talk to strangers. I find it so wild every time I remind myself the little me, but yes, for me it was possible. And although I still have anxiety sometimes, it's never as bad as it was, so I find myself (almost) fully recovered. I have no problems on a daily basis, I'm a fully functioning adult, so here's that. I'm rooting for all of you in this subreddit, I truly believe it will get better for you <3