Shy newbie ☺

Hi @oceangirl

Hope you are doing well today 🙂

I'm doing good. @Aniela I don't think we have meet before until today. Its good to meet you. How are you?

@oceangirl

Hey, I have been on here for maybe 2 weeks? I jump on almost every day to try to respond as best I can on here. I want to give back and support people. Make my past problems meaningful.

@Aniela

I am glad you have joined us here.

We are a friendly bunch and we all try to give each other support.

And to be a supportive environment and a soft place for people to fall.

Hi @Aniela

Thank you for your support, I have been listening to podcast to get ideas how to cope with meeting new people but I'm struggling and I shut down, do you have any tips to help please

Thanks for your help

Hi @Shaz51

I'm doing ok today thank you.

Nice to meet you and how are you doing?

Thank you for the help @oceangirl

It looks like a great and friendly community

Hi @Stacks

What type of tips are you looking for, in regard to struggling and shutting down? Tips to meet new people? How to minimise anxiety in social situations? Type of therapy? Coping skills? I don't want to start giving tips if they are irrelevant to you. 🙂

Hi @Aniela ,

Sorry I forgot to mention that part. I was wondering how to deal with therapy? I have spoken to a couple of people but I struggled with opening up also i feel like they don't understand, just because they studied it doesn't mean they get what its like for me if that makes sense

Hi @Stacks

Opening up in therapy can be quite difficult sometimes. It's hard to be vulnerable with people we don't know. It's hard when we don't feel understood. I have learned when I don't feel listened to, understood or validated, the best thing to do is actually discuss my feeling and perceptions. People generally don't misunderstand or invalidate on purpose. I have found therapists to be grateful when I have opened up and been honest about my thoughts/emotions/perceptions/barriers.

Maybe try to figure out what is getting in the way of opening up? Ask your self "what is the threat here?" Also, it is ok to only discuss things when you are ready. Therapists shouldn't push you before you are ready. In saying that, it's also not a good idea to use it to avoid feeling and dealing with emotions/events for a long time. It can take a few sessions with a therapist to feel comfortable and trust them. It might be an idea to tell your therapist you're having trouble opening up. They may help you explore why. This may allow you to figure out your barriers. Some therapists aren't the right fit for us too. If it is a patterns with all of them though, it is a good idea to address this head on.