Breaking the Shell: Trying to Conquer Social Anxiety

As a teacher, you'd think I would be OK in certain social situations, especially with people I don't know. In actuality, I am usually terrified of going anywhere new with people I do, or don't, know and have major anxiety about it. I constantly try to talk myself out of going.

I talked to my husband the other day about this: thinking nobody likes me and they're scrutinizing everything I do. He told me that it's all in my head and, even if it is, I can't help but feel this way. I'm not exactly sure when it started but I remember having those thoughts since I was young. Not so much the anxiety of going places and meeting new people, though. That started in university and got worse after having my son. I remember being in my Master's class and feeling so out of place and wondered if I was doing the right thing because, get this, maybe I didn't know enough about technology to be there (I did obtain my Masters of Education degree).

I often feel awkward in social situations. I get tongue tied and can't come up with the right words to say during a conversation and, when that happens, it gives me more anxiety. I call myself an outgoing introvert. I will smile, laugh and enjoy myself one minute, but then I'll feel awkward and like I don't belong the very next. I think that's why I prefer online platforms rather than in-person. I sold products for a couple different MLM companies and now run this group on Facebook, which earns me a little extra cash as an Amazon Affiliate without having to leave my house.

Sometimes, I really do feel like this social anxiety keeps me from truly living my best life. I hope that I will eventually be able to go places and meet new people without a second thought.

Do you struggle with social anxiety? Is it something that is way more common than I realize? Comment below with your thoughts.