Social Anxiety Support

Canadian Brotha · 10-28-2009, 04:09 PM

This morning I walked to the mall to pick up some new jeans which I've been putting off for a little bit. I didn't want to miss the sale so I headed over. Besides a little anticipation anxiety when I left I was alright which is really nice. As I was walking there were some teens behind me, turns out they were going in the same direction but knew a shortcut that I don't so when I came around the bend guess who I seen again? Normally something like that would make me a bit anxious but again today it didn't bother me. Then when I got to the store I had to wait forever to use the change room. I buzzed the ringer twice & asked staff 3 times to call someone for me, the last gal was nice & went to the back to find the key & open the door herself. Good thing I waited & asked otherwise I would have left with the wrong pants size if I guessed. It's not really a big deal to most but I don't like shopping unless I know want I want. I head in, get what I want, & head out. I'm not into malls either where the point is to wonder until you find something. I make lists or call to see if what I want is in stock before I shop most times & in this case I knew the jeans were on sale so the main positive was going beyond my usual avoidance

shadowmask · 10-28-2009, 05:14 PM

That's a great accomplishment.

Walking through a mall always peaks my SA. And I hate asking an attendant for help when I'm clothes shopping. Idk why, it really bothers me. I'm working on changing my avoidant tendencies at the moment, too. It's hard because it's been my main coping strategy for so long, but something's gotta give. These kind of everyday triumphs over SA can collectively go a long way in overcoming it.

Catlover4100 · 10-28-2009, 05:25 PM

Good for you! I hate stores where they lock the fitting rooms and make you find an attendant to let you in, always makes shopping more anxiety-inducing.

Jaiyyson · 10-28-2009, 11:26 PM

Reminds me of 'Sheep in the Big City' haha.

A relatable little story. Shopping can be fun, lol, why can't I convince myself??

Canadian Brotha · 10-29-2009, 04:04 PM

Thanks guys, It was a good day for me

lyssado707 · 10-29-2009, 10:12 PM

Yea that was assertive of you to keep buzzing the person to open the room. Good job

jellybelly · 10-30-2009, 12:24 PM

That's great! Well done for making sure you could try them on. I know too well how easy it is to just buy something and walk out and then have something which doesn't fit but I'm too anxious to take back! Glad it was a good day for you

10-28-2009, 04:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
Canadian Brotha Status: A Lonely Soul Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada Gender: Male Age: 22 Posts: 1,792	Regular Stuff This morning I walked to the mall to pick up some new jeans which I've been putting off for a little bit. I didn't want to miss the sale so I headed over. Besides a little anticipation anxiety when I left I was alright which is really nice. As I was walking there were some teens behind me, turns out they were going in the same direction but knew a shortcut that I don't so when I came around the bend guess who I seen again? Normally something like that would make me a bit anxious but again today it didn't bother me. Then when I got to the store I had to wait forever to use the change room. I buzzed the ringer twice & asked staff 3 times to call someone for me, the last gal was nice & went to the back to find the key & open the door herself. Good thing I waited & asked otherwise I would have left with the wrong pants size if I guessed. It's not really a big deal to most but I don't like shopping unless I know want I want. I head in, get what I want, & head out. I'm not into malls either where the point is to wonder until you find something. I make lists or call to see if what I want is in stock before I shop most times & in this case I knew the jeans were on sale so the main positive was going beyond my usual avoidance __________________ Listen To My Demo Album, "Soul Of A Man" Listen To Live Folkstyle Sculpting Facebook=Become A Fan Blogspot=My Poetry I See What I Want To See, And Read Into It What I Want To Read Depressions Blinding Me, It’s Clouding My Vision Of Positivity Stand Up Live Your Life, As People Do In Society Maturity Is Calling, It’s Time To Find Your Personality Everybody Knows Everything, When It Comes To People Outside Themselves ^^^An Excerpt Of Song Lyrics Of Mine^^^

10-28-2009, 05:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
shadowmask Status: Seeing stars Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: TN Gender: Male Age: 23 Posts: 1,085	That's a great accomplishment. Walking through a mall always peaks my SA. And I hate asking an attendant for help when I'm clothes shopping. Idk why, it really bothers me. I'm working on changing my avoidant tendencies at the moment, too. It's hard because it's been my main coping strategy for so long, but something's gotta give. These kind of everyday triumphs over SA can collectively go a long way in overcoming it. __________________ Basically, I'm complicated I have a hard time taking the easy way I wouldn't call it schizophrenia But I'll be at least two people today

10-28-2009, 05:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
Catlover4100 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Gasport, NY Gender: Female Age: 17 Posts: 350	Good for you! I hate stores where they lock the fitting rooms and make you find an attendant to let you in, always makes shopping more anxiety-inducing. __________________ If neurotic is wanting two mutually exclusive things at one and the same time, then I'm neurotic as hell. I'll be flying back and forth between one mutually exclusive thing and another for the rest of my days. ~Sylvia Plath

10-28-2009, 11:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jaiyyson Status: Davids disarm Goliaths Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Gender: Male Age: 20 Posts: 872	Reminds me of 'Sheep in the Big City' haha. A relatable little story. Shopping can be fun, lol, why can't I convince myself?? __________________ "Don't walk in front of me, and don't walk behind me. If you are to walk with me, walk beside me or nothing at all."

10-29-2009, 04:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
Canadian Brotha Status: A Lonely Soul Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Canada Gender: Male Age: 22 Posts: 1,792	Thanks guys, It was a good day for me __________________ Listen To My Demo Album, "Soul Of A Man" Listen To Live Folkstyle Sculpting Facebook=Become A Fan Blogspot=My Poetry I See What I Want To See, And Read Into It What I Want To Read Depressions Blinding Me, It’s Clouding My Vision Of Positivity Stand Up Live Your Life, As People Do In Society Maturity Is Calling, It’s Time To Find Your Personality Everybody Knows Everything, When It Comes To People Outside Themselves ^^^An Excerpt Of Song Lyrics Of Mine^^^

10-29-2009, 10:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
lyssado707 Status: SAS Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Humboldt County, CA Age: 22 Posts: 3,228	Yea that was assertive of you to keep buzzing the person to open the room. Good job __________________ In Loving Memory, http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...6/P1000595.jpg http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...P1000480-1.jpg Marmalade January 1991-February 19, 2007

10-30-2009, 12:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
jellybelly Status: SAS Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: uk Gender: Female Posts: 270	That's great! Well done for making sure you could try them on. I know too well how easy it is to just buy something and walk out and then have something which doesn't fit but I'm too anxious to take back! Glad it was a good day for you