social anxiety

[Wowzerzzz]

Hey y'all. I just went on a camping trip with my friends and I just kept repeating the same question to myself: why can't I just function normally?! My friends found no problem with sharing the small beach area with another camping group. Me on the other hand was worrying about the upcoming "awkward situation" and my friends had no idea what I was talking about. My social anxiety (and general anxiety) is just hindering me so much. I can't even do normal things or feel normal emotions. I guess I just feel so different from everyone else. My friends all went through a phase when you're younger and you feel like everyone around you knows what to do, how to act, and what to say but you're just dumbfounded and left in the dirt. They all grew out of that and I didn't. I didn't tell them that of course. But it still made me realize how "other" I am. I never actually realized that how I feel and behave just isn't normal.

[Hidden]

Thank you for sharing. "other" wow yeah I get that!! Normal..... my thoughts on that is I used to want so badly to be normal. Now (within the last year) I do not believe in "normal" for we all are unique human beings with so many differences. Now I just want to be healthy. The most healthy me I can be. To be at peace with the parts of me that wont change and cant change and work on the things that can.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Your statement strikes me as about as healthy as one can get! It’s true I’ve learned, especially in this past year, that we ALL have anxiety and everyone can get depressed. People often try to hide it but as I’m seeing more and more of it from everyone during these difficult times, I’m realizing that I’m not so different. Acceptance of oneself is key to mental health!