,

I use my phone too when I am feeling anxious in a social setting.

Hey @ArraDreaming ,

I'm here if you need a chat 🙂

Hey @tyme @I am ok, was just feeling awkward. Got invited to a mates place for drinks and music but then I just sat their awkwardly for a lot of time, found a couple nice people in the end but I know I looked like a massive loser

Hey @ArraDreaming - to be honest, I don't think you would've looked like a loser even if it felt awkward.

I don't know about you, but after 'growing up' , I found I don't enjoy parties much at all. As kids and young-er people, parties was the cool thing....now, it's more an obligation and often feels awkies unless family/kids tag along that you can be distracted with.

What do you think?

That’s what happened @tyme

It wasn’t really a party more just a gathering in a backyard.
normally I’d do to those thibgs with my partner but we don’t have all the same friends and it was last minute sp I just went on my own. There was a few people I ended up hanging out with which was ok in the end

Fair enough @ArraDreaming - people change, people 'grow up', people mature, and so do their interests. Makes sense you went alone seeing you probably didn't have enough time to organise for a babysitter.

Out of curiosity, if the situation arose again, would you attend?

I would because it ended up being quite fun, but I did sit alone for a fair bit of time and just felt like everyone was like “oh what a loser on his own” and then when I did speak to people after a few minutes they ended up going to speak to other people and I was just standing there by myself, I tried to join in to different conversations but just felt real awkward. It was a bit weird but I’d go again because they are friends of mine/acquaintances through a sports club I was in.
skmetimes I can be super introverted and not sure what to do other times I’m the opposite. @tyme

I think I left thinking it was fun I had a good time but can’t help but think I was definitely the awkward loser who people weren’t sure I was even there, because I am

I'm happy to hear your recent experience hasn't deterred you from going again @ArraDreaming . That shows resilience.

And as you said, it was awkward at first, but when you began to mingle, it ended up okay. In a way, it feels like the new kid in the class, or a first day at work, eh?

Takes time to warm up, but it's probably good to get out once in a while.

Yeah spent the last 2 and a half years with limited social opportunities… feels weird to be back out. @tyme also doesn’t help that I don’t drink anymore

Are all social gatherings about drinking @ArraDreaming ? Obviously there are reasons you don't drink (I don't either), but I guess, being around people is because they like you as a person, rather than the drinking?

As for social opportunities in the last 2 years, yes, they have been very limited. It's like kids born during lockdown. You can see it's really affected them. At kids' sporting events, I spoke to a coach, and he said the kids that have recently joined are nothing like what he used to see - these ones all need their parents right next to them to even kick a ball! One of my nieces too. Born in lockdown and spent 2 years of her life in trackies. She HATES dressing up, hates dresses, hates having her hair done. And she's only just turned 2.

So yes, I hear covid has certainly affected us in a social sense.