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"Just be yourself"

SunsetBrush

One of the hardest things I've found is to truly feel comfortable in social situations. You could attribute this to my Aspergers, social anxiety or just being a shy person in general - I'm not sure what the exact reason is, but real life friendships seem hard to forge.

I think I'm stuck assuming the worst - I know I'm a very introverted geeky person, with many aspects that "the real world" would find strange. I spend most of my time online, I'm bisexual and have a long distance boyfriend in Chicago, I'm part of the brony/furry communities, I love to embrace my feminine side. Yet when I meet strangers irl, or even in the workplace, I feel like I have to hide these things to avoid judgement.

I've gotten better about it - I've travelled the world, been to conventions and made a lot of online connections into a physical thing. I've tried to be more open about who I am once I got through education. I've met so many accepting and loving people. But there's still a grip it has on me, and I can't help but feel how many social opportunities I've missed out on.

Does anyone else feel similar?

Parents

  • Some of the most fun people I've met at anime conventions seem to be furries. And Ironically this seems to be one of the few places they are welcomed even among the nerds. Sci-fi / table top nerds not so friendly to furryies in my experience. Anime nerds are a lot more laid back, its very much a 'so what if they are degens, we're all degens here' attitude. Ah the things i've seen at anime conventions ... memories that others have tried hard to repress lol

    I've missed out yes but I know there are plenty of places where I tried to be my self and got shown the door. I don't think being more open about my true self would have made me any more friends but being more willing to take risks earlier in my life, in going new places and trying new things might. There are many places i've gone and things I've tried I wish happened sooner.

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  • Some of the most fun people I've met at anime conventions seem to be furries. And Ironically this seems to be one of the few places they are welcomed even among the nerds. Sci-fi / table top nerds not so friendly to furryies in my experience. Anime nerds are a lot more laid back, its very much a 'so what if they are degens, we're all degens here' attitude. Ah the things i've seen at anime conventions ... memories that others have tried hard to repress lol

    I've missed out yes but I know there are plenty of places where I tried to be my self and got shown the door. I don't think being more open about my true self would have made me any more friends but being more willing to take risks earlier in my life, in going new places and trying new things might. There are many places i've gone and things I've tried I wish happened sooner.

Children
  • in reply to Peter

    Honestly, I try to stick with the attitude of non-judgement as I know I have my own quirks and nobody likes being judged - I come in with a lot of love for how people are and hope I can be welcomed for that. Risks are tough but the results definitely make a difference in our lives. Worth taking sometimes for sure.