How to get a job when you have bad social anxiety?

[Live4it20]

Hi all. So I have anxiety in social situations (it's gotten better!) But sometimes its hard to leave the house, go to stores, I don't show up to interviews at times. I really need a job but not exactly a "people person" and people say im awkward and don't know how to act around others. Shoots down my confidence but Im learning to accept me. It's just hard when I feel like I can't fit in anywhere! Last job they told me i wasn't fast enough.. (It was a prep cook job) so i ended up quitting, plus didn't fit in there either. Im not exactly anti-social.. Just wish I can find something that doesn't give me anxiety/dread everytime i go in. All my past jobs were usually in the back so i didn't deal with customers, which was ok. But i feel really confused and abnormal because I'm not like everyone else who can just go out there and do any job. I need some advice and help on this. If I could be my own boss i would but that's a whole nother thing. ???

[Hidden]

Hi there I am in a similar situation -social anxiety- just trying to get to a place where I feel capable of holding down a “normal” job. Sounds like you are ahead of me so to say 🙂

What sort of work do you want to do? Recently I had the idea of doing some volunteering as a way to gain experience and confidence. And also giving my time to a good cause would help me feel better about myself, boost self esteem. Some nonprofit organizations need help with clerical work, caregivers, reception desk, etc. Good experience to put on a resume.

Maybe something like that could work for you?

[Live4it20 in reply to Hidden]

That is very true. Some places hire their volunteers after awhile. Im not exactly sure what kind of job maybe hotel work or helping people in some way. Thanks for the input

[Hidden in reply to Live4it20]

If you are in the US like me there is a website called volunteermatch you might find useful. I plan to use it to find volunteer opportunities in my area. All the best.

[Iamreadyforchange]

Hi! I know what it feels like to want to fit in. I think when we don't fit in, we feel bad. A lot of this world is based on comparing yourself to others. We are all our own person. I struggled with self esteem, maybe that had something to do with it. Avoiding it is surely not the answer because that will just make it worse.

[Live4it20 in reply to Iamreadyforchange]

True. So what was your solution then?

[Iamreadyforchange in reply to Live4it20]

Well the 1st step if it is self esteem is to see what may have caused this from earlier in life. Like for me, I was teased in school. All of the things we feel or stress about may have manifested from a young age. Positive Affirmations has helped me. It is where you reprogram your mind to say more positive things about yourself. I know it sounds silly but you mind will believe what you tell it eventually. You would say these affirmations out loud to yourself even if you do not believe them right away. If you google positive self affirmations, there is a list to start off with. It could be more than 1 thing that is causing you to have this fear of other people but starting with this couldn't hurt. This will help build your confidence.

[Live4it20 in reply to Iamreadyforchange]

Thanks. Yeah I know all about that stuff hehe. Its true our thoughts are very powerful and we gotta feed it with positive stuff . i just dont know about saying them out loud hehe but more so in my head. Whatever works i guess