Struggling with therapy/social prescribing homework (social situations mentioned)

For the art class could you try calling the organiser so you know one person, then get them meet you outside. Or go early and be the first one there 

For the rambling thing can you get someone to go with you the first time?

I appreciate the ideas. For me though, phoning organisers or arranging to meet someone feels beyond what I can manage right now. I also don’t have anyone who could come along with me. Even arriving early would still be difficult, as it’s the social side itself that I struggle with most.

Stevie said:

Even arriving early would still be difficult,

Of course it is difficult, that's why it is being prescribed.

Perhaps go to the location first on a different day so at least going there feels less scary.

Maybe email, rather than call, and ask if you could meet the organiser for a few minutes.

Then get there first. Stay till maybe 3 or 4 people arrive, then leave. Maybe talk to one person. Just say hello.

You'll have to build it up from some starting point. Or get drunk, high or take some tranquillisers first. I have in the past had a drink before going out to have a drink, but I'm not supposed to be encouraging you to drink.

Stevie said:

Even arriving early would still be difficult,

Of course it is difficult, that's why it is being prescribed.

Perhaps go to the location first on a different day so at least going there feels less scary.

Maybe email, rather than call, and ask if you could meet the organiser for a few minutes.

Then get there first. Stay till maybe 3 or 4 people arrive, then leave. Maybe talk to one person. Just say hello.

You'll have to build it up from some starting point. Or get drunk, high or take some tranquillisers first. I have in the past had a drink before going out to have a drink, but I'm not supposed to be encouraging you to drink.

That’s true. Only I can do it in the end.

There is quite a good chance that some of the other people attending the art class were hesitant, at first, about attending (for their own reasons) too - and are likely to be more understanding about how you feel at first - than you might have expected.

I see what you mean. Trust is very hard for me, but I’ll still try the art class.

What you said is fine, I understand fully.

You can communicate fine. Don't go defensive. The solution is to be more open, not stop. If you can't talk here where can you talk. 

What I mean is there isn't going to be a solution that is not difficult. It is going to be hard the first time, maybe desperately hard. But it will get easier.

You want to find a way over that hump, I know it.

I know you are scared, nervous of being seen, worried about what you might say or do, worried about what others will think etc. a lot of it is in your head. Others won't think half what you think they will think. Mostly they won't care, but you will struggle to convince yourself of this. You will be looking at every gesture, look, facial expression, comment, and over analysing it.

Own up to it, say out loud what your fears are. Name them it will be hard but it will help.

I want you to be able to go to the art class.

You’re right, I probably just said something obvious. This is why I struggle to communicate, even here. Thank you for replying, I’ll leave it there.