Currently socialising

[CalDomine]

I feel like my insides are imploding and I want this feeling to go away.
I'm so uncomfortable and I just want to lay down.
But at the same time, I want people to like me.
Help.

 

[Progster]

I'm a bit like this, too. I sometimes want to go out and socialise, but when I do, I end up either being too irritated by things going on around me, or just not being able to join in the conversation and being bored, or becoming overloaded and shutting down.

 

[Moccu]

Can you find a place to sit down with them? Maybe that would help.

And if you can find a table, you can fidget underneath it as much as you want while sitting down.

If it feels like too much or you feel like you need a break, make an excuse to go to the washroom or something natural like that. It'll give your nerves time to recover and recollect yourself.

I find it helps to just have a drink to hold and sip at idly- coffee, water, etc. Doesn't matter. Find something to occupy yourself with so you don't feel like you're uselessly standing around.

 

[donn]

Great advice from Moccu!

If possible, and I know how hard it can be to do this, try to find a situation where hanging out for an 1-3 hours and then leaving would be totally normal. Grabbing coffee or meeting just for a walk would work, especially if you can meet people with shared interests for that amount of time. If I could show up for two hours, discuss an SIA for half of that time, and then peace out, I'd be thrilled. I find it difficult to intentionally mix my SIA's with socializing (working on it) but controlling how long the socializing will last ahead of time takes a big strain off of me.

 

[CalDomine]

Great advice, folks.
I got through half a pack of cigarettes (To excuse myself), but I managed to get through and, for the most part, have a decent time.
Having the drink to sip at was also a wonderful soother.
Thank you all.

 

[donn]

Well done! Glad it was, on the whole, a success.