Having Social Anxiety in my 30s
Is this a safe space? 😣I’ve come such a long way coping with social anxiety throughout my life. Here are signs of when I have those challenges in a conversation. Hopefully, this brings awareness to someone else going through it as well! 🫶🏽🥹🍋🍋🍋🍋
Tremble hands & Racing heart:
This is usually the first thing before
I even begin to speak. As soon as
I realize it’s my turn to speak, I’ll feel
overwhelmed.
Overthink:
Whenever I have a conversation
with someone, I tend to start
worrying if what I’m saying makes
sense! I always feel a lot of pressure
to always say the right thing ! 😣
Scramble my words:
I never understood how I could have
a way with words whenever I write,
but mix up my words or sentences
when I have a verbal conversation.
It’s so frustrating and discouraging!
Lack eye contact :
I noticed that my brain can no longer
multitask my worries & thoughts as I
speak. I start to look down and
avoid eye-contact even
if it’s a great conversation!
Self- isolate:
In familiar or unfamiliar territory,
I’ll find the farthest point of the
room and watch everyone else
socialize while I watch, hoping that no
one approaches me because
I’m afraid that I’ll be socially
awkward or freeze mid sentence.
Lose my train of thought :
When I finally get the confidence to
speak,I get excited and then
BOOM! I lost my train
of thought! 😭It’s so embarrassing
and I feel inadequate to have
a simple conversation!
Word Vomit:
If I feel myself screwing up the
conversation, I’ll tend to over-speak or
over-share. Immediately, I’ll feel completely foolish afterward wishing that I never engaged in the conversation to begin with. 😒
Fear of rejection:
Honesty, I believe my past trauma of being rejected almost my whole life is the reason why it gets worse the older I am. It’s discouraging to have that feeling and carry it with you on your heart.
Feel out of place:
As my insecurities swallow me whole, I tend to believe that I don’t belong in the space that I’m in. I’ll make an excuse to leave or glue myself to my phone.
#safespace #lemon8challenge #socialanxiety #insecurities #traumadumping #vulnerableandstrong #vulnerablediaries #MentalHealth #mentalhealthjourney #transparency
Social anxiety is a common issue that many individuals face, especially during their formative adult years. Most notably in their 30s, people may find social situations increasingly daunting due to a variety of factors, including past trauma, heightened self-awareness, and societal pressure. Often characterized by physical symptoms like trembling hands and a racing heart, social anxiety can hinder one's ability to engage in typical conversational exchanges. Individuals may struggle with overthinking and fear of judgment, leading to a pattern of self-isolation. Affected people might withdraw from social settings, retreating into corners, or sticking to their phones to avoid uncomfortable interactions. It’s vital for anyone experiencing these feelings to understand that they are not alone; many share similar fears of rejection and feelings of inadequacy in social contexts. This acknowledgment can sometimes serve as the first step toward seeking help and finding coping mechanisms. Coping strategies may include cognitive-behavioral techniques that focus on reframing negative thoughts, practicing mindfulness, or engaging in gradual exposure to social situations. Additionally, support from community platforms or consulting with mental health professionals can greatly assist individuals in developing tools to manage their anxiety effectively. Open discussions, like the one in this article, contribute to a broader understanding and support network for people dealing with social anxiety.
Yup this is me. In my 30s. And I’m like…girl you can do better. I feel like having social anxiety and anxiety period holds me back in many ways. I’m just always in my head. Smh I feel like something is wrong with me 😂 cuz a lot of people don’t understand if they’ve never experienced this or isn’t like this.