Anxiety is very common in today's society, and can affect everyone differently. There can be certain things that trigger us that we take full precaution to avoid, and then there is other situations that we never thought could effect us in such a strong way. Although everyone is different, there are certain scenarios that many people with anxiety dread and can relate to one another about.
1. Going in for an interview.
Going for an interview is already pretty nerve racking, and anxiety doesn't help make it any easier. Even though it's mainly just talking about ourselves and why we should be hired, we can't help but be terrified of screwing up and making a complete fool of yourself in front of someone who has part of your future in their hands.
2. Meeting someone new.
Whether it be just meeting a friend of a friend or meeting someone you've never met in person before, it's awkward. As a person with social anxiety, meeting new people is a huge fear of mine. Emphasis on the word social, how social and open can I be with someone until it starts to get weird?
3. Eating alone in public.
Eating alone is the absolute worst when you have social anxiety. You start to think about things you never would have if someone was sitting here talking to you. You think about if the way you're drinking is weird, or if you look gross eating. If you have a hair out of place or food on your shirt. You can tell when someone looks at you, that's when you know it's time to leave or eat in a more private place.
4. Being the center of attention.
Having social anxiety makes you want to be part of the background most of the time. So when you become the center of attention, you want to explode. Especially in public, everyone is staring at you or clapping or singing depending on the occasion.
5. Going somewhere new.
One thing that people with anxiety like is having a safe space that they have been to as a go to spot. When someone tries to change it up by going somewhere new, you think of the worst scenarios of what could possibly happen there. Instead of going somewhere that you know like the back of your hand, you go somewhere new where if something new happens and you want to go hide in the bathroom, you have to ask instead of just running there.
6. Seeing someone know in public.
Usually when you see someone you're really close to, you'll say hi to them. For those with anxiety, sometimes it's still nerve racking. What if you say hi and they don't say it back? What if it's just a mirage and it's not really them? What if they're with someone else and that means you have to meet someone new? Sometimes it's too risky saying hello.
