stupid things that social anxiety makes you do, feel free to share yours
hi, so as i am sitting at work with cup full of ice at my desk cause the work coffee machine needs add beans and i am not able to do that cause i am afraid some might come to the kitchen at the same time as me, what's the most stupid thing social anxiety made you do? some of mine:
- avoiding coffee machine at work for a year cause i didn't want to ask how to use it so i watched youtube tutorials and colleagues from distance before finding the courage to do it myself.
- avoiding doctor appointments for years when making one requires a phone call.
- waiting a few steps away from flat building entrance when i see someone going in at the same time as me so i stand outside pretending i am doing something on my phone or waiting for someone and only enter once the person leaves.
- rather going multiple floors on stairs than sharing an elevator with someone.
- waiting until last minute to join work call to avoid any talking before.
- sometimes hiding my IG stories in front of certain people (usually colleagues) even though i am sure they don't care about me that much.
- feeling super anxious when something bigger and good happens to me cause i don't want people asking me about it (when i met my favourite actor and shared it on IG, i then had stomach ache from going to work cause i knew people will ask about it).
- planning my leaving work that way so i meet the least people to need to say "hi" to and getting super anxious when i know there are people in my reach but not enough so i wouldn't need to raise my voice which usually isn't enough anyway so they don't hear me and then i feel even worse.
- straight up running from some situations like a small kid despite being almost 30 years old with a job, own living and a partner.
- freezing in some situations when someone directly talks to me and i am not able to reply which makes that person mad cause they think i am just being rude and ignoring them.
- needing to eat with headphones on at work cause it helps me to forget there are other people in the office.
- feeling the urge to cry anytime people start laughing at groups or being too loud overall.
- being super talkative and leading things in online spaces, fandoms etc. where i feel comfortable while wishing to be invisible irl and feeling intense shame once someone asks about my interests.
and many more i can't remember now 😭