How do I become less... me?

I am very, very introverted and socially awkward, and I’m struggling to connect with my students.<br><br>I have seen the following:<br>- a bunch of videos saying I should be my authentic self and the students will get through it/like you for you<br>- a bunch of videos that say I need to be like Taylor Swift to seventh graders <br><br>My students say that I’m boring and speak in monotone. That I’m robot-like and have no personality, and that I’m strict and boring. <br><br>I’ve tried being more fun, and I accidentally end up seeming weirder. I try to do as most second year teachers do and have a joke here and there, and I end up accidentally making a inappropriate joke in context that I have to apologize for. My jokes land flat and make the kids uncomfortable.<br><br>I am trying so hard to make a good impression, but I’m being myself and it’s not making an impact on the kids.<br><br>How do I step out of my comfort zone and still be... fun? I want to be fun. I want to try to be the teacher that kids remember years later. <br><br>I have social anxiety, so it’s hard to come out of my shell.