Cancelling plans last minute due to fear of social aspect

Hi, recently to many people in my life (my boyfriend, my two closest friends etc, work) I just keep cancelling so last minute because i just think of how exhausting it is having to be around people and mask. It will always be after i’ve talking about it and said i will for like a week, and then finally when it comes down to having to get ready and leave I just feel frozen. 

This makes me feel so bad because i keep disappointing people, just wondering what people here think about it? 

Should i start trying to go anyway or is it a better idea to avoid the situations that i know stress me out? 

Also, does anyone have any tips particularly for female masking - have you ever tried to not mask? What happened? 

Parents
  • I do this on a regular basis and have done it today. I always end up overthinking about it asking myself "am I really that bad a person?" and "why can't I just be understood?".

    Why I don't have many friends because I make plans but then when it comes round, I get really anxious and fatigued. I suffer from Anxiety and Depression anyway, and it just gets heightened. 

    There is one friend who understands my Autism, but after today I'm asking myself, does she really? 

Reply
  • I do this on a regular basis and have done it today. I always end up overthinking about it asking myself "am I really that bad a person?" and "why can't I just be understood?".

    Why I don't have many friends because I make plans but then when it comes round, I get really anxious and fatigued. I suffer from Anxiety and Depression anyway, and it just gets heightened. 

    There is one friend who understands my Autism, but after today I'm asking myself, does she really? 

Children
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