Social Anxiety Forum - Triumphs Over Social Anxiety

I extended an invation!

RobertInCypress — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:24:38 GMT

I called up a buddy and asked if he wanted to go watch the fights at a bar tomorrow. He said maybe. We've hung out before but usually he invites me.

I finally when clubbing the other day and...

babines — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:59:56 GMT

I stayed on that bench most of the time (cost me 40 bucks for the reservation...:b) and I didn't dance, but I went clubbing! :) I kinda feel mixed emotions nonetheless about this cause I feel so lame/awkward/stupid I didn't dance, but I also feel proud I got myself together to accept my friends' invitation (finally, after 10000 refusals because of SA...).

Now. Montreal is known for its nightlife and yes, I should have drink way more in order for the anxiety to go away. Still. I try to see it as something positive.
It was my friend's birthday and we went to the restaurant first. I hesitated at first when they invited me, but I figured as it was my friend's birthday I just couldn't say no... And there I was.

Well... I guess at least the anxiety about not knowing what to expect won't be a problem for next time... (uh.... next time? :blank) It was an experience for sure. ;)

I spoke to a guy in class!

TheDaffodil — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:41:46 GMT

I've always wanted to just start talking to someone. I've done it once before (I was new and needed a place to sit at lunch so I asked some freshmen if I could sit with them and they said yes cuz they were new, too) but it was a few years ago. I haven't really talked much in this class but I've faired well...anyway...,

I had walked in about 5 minutes early and this dude is talking to Joyce (we did a project together) about teachers at my old high school. When he finished saying what he was saying, I paused, and just blurted out, "Are you talking about Mr. and Mrs. Smart?" And he said he was and we started talking about them. Turns out they used to go to the same bible study. It was a bit awkward...he's an awkward guy...and I was kinda nervous after blurting that out but we managed to have a conversation! I told him the subjects they teach, that I had Mr. Smart junior year and Mrs. Smart teaches 9th-graders. I told him that on Saturday I had gone to the school to see a play and found out that Mrs. Smart is pregnant. So basically, I felt like a healthy, socially acceptable person in class today and it was nice.

It felt like a HUGE triumph for me...

Miss Meggie — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:04:20 GMT

I'm a student at the Culinary Institute of America. I got back from my internship and now I'm at school alone. And because of my social anxiety, I can't make any friends or go to any club meetings or anything.
I haven't been eating at the dining hall because I don't like standing in line to order food alone, or sitting alone in the dining room. However, yesterday, I decided to go get some lunch (mainly because I was starving!). So I spent a half hour getting myself mentally ready. I walked up to the main building, got in line alone, ordered my own food, and then sat in the dining hall alone.
I had to find a seat, even though almost every table was full. When I finally found a table with an empty seat, I had to ask the people if anyone was sitting at that seat. Then I proceeded to eat my food, purposely eating slower than I really wanted to.
And when I was done, I even went to the mailroom to check my mail.

A-z (h)

Saqq — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:33:10 GMT

A -Skipped my Psych. Appointment because I was on a 20hour binge sleep (way to serequel), however I did get a message that he was sick and the appointment was re-scheduled :)

B - Semi offered a directors-type position for a new company a former college is working on merging and moving to Canada -- My name was part of his Asset list because a lot his clients know me/recommend me well (and while I'm likely NOT qualified for the position, I feel I could do 75% of it without some google/training) - Still need a break, he had no problem with that and said I could use some Vacation time first after 5 years of work non/stop

C - Still awake at 2:30, first time since there wasn't an SAS meet

D - No drinking for 24+ hours (I swear I'm not an alcoholic is, I just drink a lot in front of people for the nerves, my natural tolerance is ****ing huge.

E - Going to eat some healthy cereal

F- I will make a serious attempt to go to the gym while not loaded on any benzos, and posssibly get one of those personal trainers WTF to do other than Cardio

G - Probably denied Employment Insurance, going to need to appeal with a new reason which I think I had (Mass Stress) which I would need a doctors note from, which I think i could get from either of my doctors, seeing as they've both noticed huge turn arounds in my lately

H - time to hit the pipe and watch True Blood :)

not zing

Not sure if this is a 'triumph' but...

Indigo Flow — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:33:51 GMT

today i had to work in pairs with someone which i was really scared about, well it wasn't that bad afterall. The guy i got paired with was really nice and i felt really comfortable speaking. I also had to go into a pub and ask a bunch of drunk old men to have a photo taken with elephant masks on, which was easier than it sounds, everyone was really nice about it haha

If evert there was a time you knew you were more or less over sa....

Ospi — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:54:30 GMT

....it would be while you are in macau. Place is insane, party central with casinos, half naked woman and god knows what else in-between. I walked into the 2nd floor of my hotel and the first thing the guy asked me was "would you like to pick your girl?". Now I was more intrigued than anything else though I did do a prompt u-turn.....

Anway not once have I felt anxiety which considering where I am and the things going on around me is an achievment I feel. Next few days will be crazy though but I think we might be in with a chance of winning our race!

5 minute presentation

rcapo89 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:59:42 GMT

Hey I just came back from my English composition class. I had to make a 5 minute presentation about advertising in general and how different magazines target different audiences. I was nervous but I actually volenteered to go first! This is a huge accomplishment for me. :D :boogie

Went to the Chocolate Club Meeting

Catching Fire — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:11:19 GMT

I would say it was a success :). I was pretty nervous leading up to it. I almost didn't walk in when I got to the door. I was still pretty nervous when the meeting started and my face was bright red in the begining. Once the blushing subsided I was pretty good. Everyone else there seemed kind of too as everyone there was a freshman. This was also probably their first time at a meeting. Which was kind of comforting. I was also one of two people that actually spoke and asked questions which was a small triumph in its self. Although the meeting today was only maybe 20 minutes the other meetings should be longer and more social. The club also has some social events planned which may include a chocolate fight which sounds like a lot of fun lol. The people in the club also seem like people I'd like to get to know and could see myself being friends with which is good. Hopefully it goes places but it was a good exposure in itself.

Not sure if I would call this a failure or a triumph

roll2daspot — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:19:22 GMT

Well on friday I went to a bar for the first time, with this new friend from work. I was ridiculously scared and the whole time I just kept thinking how I didint belong there. It was amazing tho watching my buddy, this guy is like the definition of confidence, we were playing pool and there were these 2 really good looking girls sitting near us, he just walked over and asked if they knew how to play and all of a sudden we were playing with them. I think I managed to put up a decent front, but I was so uncomfortable that I set the alarm on my phone and made it seem like I was getting a call, made an excuse and said I had to leave. The plan was actually to stay out all night and go to a few bars, but I activated my excape plan about 2 hours in.

I mean Im fairly happy about forcing myself to go, I saw that I can maybe handle this kind of social engagement, tho like I said the whole time I couldnt help but think I didint belong and I must look akward, but it didint seem like other people saw me like that, so I dunno maybe its in my head.. Tho at the same time Im kicking myself for ducking out so early, Im not 100% sure buddy bought my excuse, it kinda seemed like he could see through it, Im also sure that he can tell im socialy akward, he doesnt seem put off by it tho, seems like he honestly wants to be friends, so maybe I should suggest we go play some pool again after work some time?

Hung out with a friend

Witan — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:20:35 GMT

So like many people on here, I like to know well in advance when someone wants to hang out, and get even more anxious than usual when it's sprung on me at the last moment. Yesterday, a friend I haven't seen in a while texted me and said she was gonna be in town that day, and asked if I wanted to hang out. Of course I was nervous, even more so since I haven't really socialized (at all) in months , and I thought of making up some excuse, but I didn't. We hung out, had a bit to drink, watched part of a football game, and had fun. :)

I beat my anxiety!

Hosting a potluck tomorrow

far310 — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:04:07 GMT

i'm hosting a potluck tomorrow at my apartment, I invited a few people and it ended up being 8 people confirmed..probably more will show up which is gonna be crowded for my tiny place haha.

I'm planning on making some sushi and shrimp, i'm not the best sushi roller so i'm kinda worried about that.. but it should be fun!

Forced myself out for some nightlife

Lovesick Loner — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:03:18 GMT

Forced myself out again to some nightlife and pubbing. A friend of mine invited me out again with a bunch of her friends whom I don't know at all. I was horribly anxious about it all day. Meeting one or two new people is usually okay for me, but a group of three or more makes me feel overwhelmed.

Anyway, I dreadfully went expecting a complete disaster, but it actually wasn't that bad. There were definitely some awkward times for me meeting so many new people and not really knowing what to say, but overall I was able to hold some conversations, laugh, drink, and have an all right time. I excused myself from the soiree after the number of people I don't know numbered 6 or 7. That was a bit too much for me, but I enjoyed myself up until that point.

I'm glad I went because it really was nowhere near as bad as I made it out to be. Awkward, yes, but I feel better that I actually went out on a Saturday night for once with other people.

All of my family and freinds threw my a surprise party

missgymnast91 — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:38:19 GMT

So on thursday I will be 18 years old and after work today my best friend said she and I would go to the gym (gymnastics gym) and practice. Well as soon as I walked inside all I see was a bunch of people jump out and yell "SURPRISE."
Never in a million years would I of thought that I would ever have a suprise party thrown for me. I've never even had a regular birthday party before. Most of the time it's just me and my mom having a home cooked dinner and homemade cake.
For once in my life, it was all about me. I was the center of attention. It felt good just being with the people I love. The people who care about me. For once there was no nerves, no anxiety. I could be myself. That felt great.
Even though none of them are on here I just wanted to say,
Thank You <3

I've had a job for nearly two years

h87 — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:19:35 GMT

I have just signed back up to this site, I realised I havn't been on here since before I started my current job. Before then the longest I'd ever had a job was about two months, was starting to just accept that was how the rest of my working life would be, one place to another, with BIG gaps of nothing in between.

Anyway, the job isn't perfect, some of the people there are ****s and the money ain't great, but I have held down a job for nearly two years! I know for alot of people thats normal, but for me, it is probably my only achievement against SA