Does being at my families house and not socializing count?

[EricJones]

I am staying to myself quite a bit on my phone and In a different location than the rest of my family members....I'm not engaging in the riddle/puzzle that everyone else happens to be apart of. Should I still be proud of myself or am I just having avoiding behavior?

[Trentz]

I would just try to interact a bit. You don't have to interact with everyone at the same time. That should make your feel better.

[EricJones in reply to Trentz]

People are having their own conversations though....I'm not included in them

[Trentz in reply to EricJones]

As long as you are available to talk sometimes then you have done your bit.

[EricJones in reply to Trentz]

I talked a little bit...and was apart of the Easter egg hunt a little bit

[Trentz in reply to EricJones]

Your doing well then.

[EricJones in reply to Trentz]

Thanks man

[Hidden in reply to EricJones]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[Hidden in reply to EricJones]

Part of socializing is just sitting there listening for a while until someone asks you a question or if have anything to say or share. Or you can always sit there and pretend you're interested. Pretending in this case is not being insincere just using boundaries. You can make it through this, just try it.

[EricJones in reply to Hidden]

well its over now lol and its the sitting around, while other people are talking thats the hard part...when i'm not talking i'm left to all my irrational thoughts about how poorly the interaction will go

[hypercat54]

You do what makes you feel more comfortable. But also try and stay in the moment and start to think exactly what makes you feel this way. And trust me there is a lot more behind this than body language which you have focused on.

It would be very useful for you to gain some more self awareness but the fact you are starting to ask yourself question is a positive move. Keep it up and well done.

[Agora1]

Hi Eric, anytime we try and go out of our safety zone, it's a win.

You did good today. I still say the kitchen would have been a good

hideaway and yet helpful to your parents as well. But you did good xx

[EricJones in reply to Agora1]

we were all in the kitchen haha

[Agora1 in reply to EricJones]

Boy I can't win today lol

I was like you in many ways with my anxiety. Either I did kitchen duty

by myself (everyone was in the dining room) or I'd go downstairs to the

basement and play with the kids (coloring which was relaxing) Kids don't

expect anything from you except to just be yourself.

Well Eric, it's almost the end of the day and you can go to sleep tonight

knowing you did good. I'm sure your family was happy you were a part

of the holiday celebration. When you get into bed tonight, feel your body

sink into the mattress, pull your shoulders down from your ears and breathe

out a big sigh of relief. You did it. xx

[EricJones in reply to Agora1]

thank you Agora thats really thoughtful of you...i appreciate it

[CLB1125 in reply to Agora1]

That hit home..pull your shoulders down from your ears..my neck and shoulders are on high alert all the time. I have to make a conscious effort to relax them throughout the day.

[tommy2toes]

Dear Eric:

Considering your circumstances, I would chalk up your "just being there" as a win.

Indeed, in looking at your recent posts, you seem to be overcoming your anxiety little-by-little by getting out and about regularly. Every time you do so (in spite of what your brain might think) is a success, and it should be celebrated within your heart as such.

Best of luck

t2t (tommy2toes)

[EricJones in reply to tommy2toes]

thanks tommy 2toes

[Starrlight]

Hope you enjoyed some parts of your day.

[EricJones in reply to Starrlight]

i enjoyed some...defitnitely

[MaggieSylvie]

You've done really well today. Well done.

[AnxiousSilver]

"Should I still be proud of myself or am I just having avoiding behavior?"

You went.

You made an appearance with your family.

& I'm pretty sure (without knowing your family) that they appreciated you being there.

[EricJones in reply to AnxiousSilver]

so its progress?

[Noodlecatpiano]

yes!!!