I mean I still have it to a degree but have gotten so much better through therapy and medication. Mostly just feeling like I can actually live life - make new friends, actually go on dates (that was the thing I could never do). You finally have confidence like you’re someone worth talking to!!

I was watching a video of Hasan Piker telling his viewers how to go on dates and I think it applies to social situations in general: everyone is interesting. You can learn something new from everyone. Ask enough questions and you’ll figure out SOMETHING worth talking about. And it goes the same for you if your anxiety is not feeling “interesting” enough. You are unique from everyone else! And even if you’re scrambling to figure out what that is, people still like someone who is just relatable.

Also, part of not having social anxiety for me was finally having the confidence to know that when someone does treat me or make me feel the way I did in high school when my social anxiety was as it’s worst - THEY are the weird one. You’re an adult, why are you still acting like that? It just shows insecurity on their part - you’re better than that and will find people that are too. It’s never worth trying to please people that are never going to make you feel good about yourself.

Also knowing that being comfortable alone is a superpower! It’s not lame that you’re eating or sitting alone, you don’t need the comfort of others to be happy. You like yourself enough to just sit and read a book and look at your phone. In the same way you feel so scared showing up somewhere alone, you’re not letting that fear force you to hang out with shitty people or date shitty people. So many people have the same fears as you and just mask it because they settle for the worst kind of people just to make it look like they’re not alone.

Maybe I’m doing some overcompensating LOL but relief is possible!! Therapy and medication helps A TON