It's normal to change as you get older. Some people are more carefree than others. Clearly, you are not anymore. I do not know what it is like to be like this, since I just say whatever and not care. My boyfriend, however, thinks about everything he wants to say before he says it. Picking and choosing words. Editing as necessary to convey the right message. It's like wonderful writing, the shorter the better. No filler. However, it is vastly different from not wanting to look like an idiot.

If you're worried about looking like an idiot, I would say it is sort of a self esteem issue. You don't become an overly critical person about yourself just randomly. Clearly, there is a cause behind your feelings.

Maybe every time you hear the voice in your head, make the conscious decision not to listen. YOU have control over your brain, you can think what you want to think. If you listen to that voice, you are losing. You are surrendering to a power you don't need to. You can choose to create positivity. Ask yourself why opening up would make you look stupid. Honesty is not stupid. Is there a good reason? Probably not. Rejection isn't even a substantial reason, because you should live for you, and not anyone else. It takes baby steps, but it works. Don't let all of your emotions run your life. You have control over more than you think you do.

I was just wondering if something traumatic happened to you around the time that your personality changed? If this is the case, then you may need counselling to deal with that event before you can work through this issue. Good luck.

"We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts we make the world." Buddha

Sounds like a social anxiety disorder. Seek therapy.

How about you join an acting class or something? That way you could indulge in creative things and also boost your self-esteem a little bit. In acting class, it's okay if you act like a nut.

There is a book called "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle, I really recommend it to you. It teaches to ignore that inner voice that tells you all those bad things. You will feel happier and much better about yourself!

Take care

Well I think some of it could be normal. I think many people double think what they say. I do it sometimes. Except of course with my sister or my brother. My mother lets words trip right out of her mouth before she can think and sometimes I just have to laugh about it. She speaks just a split second before her brain catches up to speed. I have comments I throw back to her and then we just laugh. But to say you stop yourself is sort of a block. You have to learn to feel comfortable in your own skin, and say what you want. The thing you have to understand is no one will care. Maybe they would find it refreshing even. When you feel this block you should ignore it and speak your mind what it was you want to say. Perhaps someone was very critical of you? Or perhaps someone has said unthoughtful words to you? I would let your first voice and your first thoughts be known. Let them out. Look around you and listen. There are hundreds of people who walk around his earth and they all do and say stupid things everyday. They don't dwell on it. No one is perfect.Anyway what you say isn't so drastically important. How you act and feel about yourself is crucial though. If you really are having a tough time a counselor could help you.......