So I would say I’ve been pretty successful with my academics and what I’ve been able to accomplish in my life so far, but the one barrier that I feel like I can’t move past is my social anxiety/inhibitions.
I’ve been on medication for anxiety for the past year and a lot of the physical anxiety has gone away, but I guess I’d describe what I experience as social fear/avoidance? I feel socially inadequate, like it’s both social fear and a feeling that I can’t communicate well especially in groups. For example there was a networking event I could’ve gone to today, but I avoided it because the thought of going made me uncomfortable, and even if I went I feel like I’d make a fool out of myself or just get really quiet like I do in groups and I wouldn’t be able to make any connections.
I’m having a lot of trouble thinking about how to improve. I went to therapy for a while and it seemed to help a bit but I haven’t made the progress I want to make. I’d like to be very socially confident and have the confidence and social skills to meet new people, make new friends, etc. But it feels so impossible, again both because it’s scary and I don’t feel like I have social skills (whether this is in my head or not, the feeling is still there).
I just feel very lost right now with this broad social issue and I’m not sure what steps I should take to move forward. If y’all have any advice, techniques, experiences, books to read lol, anything and everything would help.
I’m also open to dms/calls as well, thanks!