Introducing Myself

Hi, and welcome. Im relatively new here myself but it was much less daunting than I expected when I joined up. I hope the foum quickly becomes a relaiable and comfortable safe space for you vent, ruminate, chat, explore ideas, feel like you've 'found your tribe' etc.

I've had chronic social anxiety all my life too (and autism - recently diagnosed- gives me such a helpful broader context for understanding and accepting it), and now in my forties manage it only marginally better than in the past. I still have really bad days with it where the idea of even crossing the door is just too much. If it wasn't for work, family, and a tiny group of friends (some online, some IRL) I'd quite possibly lapse into being a hermit to avoid the stress and hurt of not having the innate social abilities and comfort levels  that the majority seem to come equipped with as standard. Life is hard, but places like this make it just a little easier. 

I hope it doesn't sound condascending to say well done on initiating a topic/thread. I made myself do that here as early as possible too. There's another online form I've been on for 20 years and I've never once created a thread on it, just participated in existing ones. It's become this mental hurdle somewhow, and I didn't want the same one to take root here. 

Anyway, can definitely empathise, as clearly many here can. Hopefully you already feel seen and understood. 

Hi, and welcome. Im relatively new here myself but it was much less daunting than I expected when I joined up. I hope the foum quickly becomes a relaiable and comfortable safe space for you vent, ruminate, chat, explore ideas, feel like you've 'found your tribe' etc.

I've had chronic social anxiety all my life too (and autism - recently diagnosed- gives me such a helpful broader context for understanding and accepting it), and now in my forties manage it only marginally better than in the past. I still have really bad days with it where the idea of even crossing the door is just too much. If it wasn't for work, family, and a tiny group of friends (some online, some IRL) I'd quite possibly lapse into being a hermit to avoid the stress and hurt of not having the innate social abilities and comfort levels  that the majority seem to come equipped with as standard. Life is hard, but places like this make it just a little easier. 

I hope it doesn't sound condascending to say well done on initiating a topic/thread. I made myself do that here as early as possible too. There's another online form I've been on for 20 years and I've never once created a thread on it, just participated in existing ones. It's become this mental hurdle somewhow, and I didn't want the same one to take root here. 

Anyway, can definitely empathise, as clearly many here can. Hopefully you already feel seen and understood. 

Hi there! No I definitely know what you mean! Creating a thread did make me very anxious but I reached a point where I’m more willing to fight it :) Next week I’m going to a real life autism thing and even though I’ll have a sleepless night and an anxiety filled day, I’m gonna try to face it.