HOw does everyone manage social preparation?
Something I am working to get over, but I have got into this mode where if I am not in the 'optimal' mood, I almost refuse to go out and show my face, or I feel disoriented. I feel the need to feel in a 'perfect mood' and when I reach those moods, I become trigger happy in wanting to meet everyone, until I burnout again.
Say there's a meeting I have with someone, or a friend, I can't be spontanaeous with it. I need to know when it is, and where it is, and have enough notice. Even then, I feel socially unprepared and feel that the best way to get through is with a mask of sorts. However, I know better way to prepare for this is actually allow myself the time and space to mentally prepare myself, which I don't because I spend too much time worrying about the thing, and putting unrealistiic expectations on the thing. So then I put the thing off, adjust my availability and it may inadvertedly upset the other person, or comes across as rude.
One thing I'm trying to fight against is trying to give the space that I need. So far it's working by making a list of the people I want to see, friends, and people more related to work. I then make a note of when the last time I text or called them. That way, I can have the space to be more realistic with consistency of contact and mental preparation based on the last time I called them, and it allows me to feel better if I haven't contacted them in, say like a week. And then making sure if I schedule to see someone, it's with some boundaries of when it is and for how long (i.e. to just 'hang out' is something I can't manage, and if I do, the conversation may end up going on for hours and afterwards I feel drained).
Anyway, chatting too much about me, how does everyone else do it?
