Brendan,
What advice would you give to someone struggling with social anxiety? When around people whose opinion matter to me, like my boss, girls, old friends, or even people I don’t know, sometimes I feel mild to very uncomfortable or afraid. It’s not enough to be crippling because I do get by and have done shit I needed to regardless of how scary it was, but it can be really uncomfortable at times. It’s like I don’t want them to see me some way.
It usually happens in a more personal setting, so I haven’t been hanging out with friends so much (because I don’t have the desire to,) except to play around with boxing and free sparring which I really do enjoy. I mean, I can do it, but a lot of the time it ends up feeling more like a chore than actually enjoying their presence, and what I tend to enjoy when I’m with people isn’t really them, but the thing we’re doing, making me feel like I’d rather be alone. Most of the time.
Also, out of curiosity, have you ever dealt with something like this? Thanks.
The really short version is grow up and learn how to talk to people. Be alright with putting yourself out there and be willing to look like an idiot in front of others. This should handle most of it.
On the flip side people are constantly afraid of others and that seems to be the norm. So at least you have company.
In addition here is a video that I made that might help fill it out as well.
On Understanding And Getting Past Social Anxiety
Good luck,
Brendan