If you're like me and you have intense social anxiety, you fear nothing more than potentially upsetting another human being. You enjoy being around people and conversing with them, but just the thought of possibly screwing up in any way, shape, or form is enough to make you stay indoors for another 24 hours. If this sounds remotely like you, then you've probably been in at least one of the following situations.
1. You don't know which party to attend, so you stay home.
Once, I even missed my own birthday party because two of my friends were having their own parties on the same day as my birthday. So, I went to one party for a couple hours, then to the other party for a couple hours. I ended up just not having a party that year.
2. You never say anyone's name aloud when speaking to them.
Oh, look. There's your co-worker, Denise. You know that her name is Denise. She's even wearing a name tag that says Denise. Wait, did she just say hi to you? Better respond. Okay. "Hey, you!" Why didn't you use her name? What if you only thought her name was Denise? Wouldn't that be embarrassing if you called her Denise and that wasn't her name? Oh, your other co-worker just called her, "Denise." Huh. We'll try again next time.
3. You always buy at least one item that the store worker shows you.
What else were you supposed to do? Politely tell him that the jeans he's selected for you aren't really your style, and you'd rather just wait until some more jeans come into stock? No!
4. You're constantly apologizing.
What if that person doesn't realize that I truly am sorry for that one thing over which I probably couldn't have had control? I should probably apologize 46 more times, just in case.
5. You avoid literally any confrontation ever, even if it doesn't involve you.
Once, I hid in a bathroom for eleven minutes because members of the debate team were yelling at each other about an issue that could not have concerned me any less.
6. You let people do things that annoy you.
Yes, of course you can loudly play soccer right above my bedroom. I won't come up there and stop you. By all means, continue.
7. You constantly worry that people are angry with you.
You haven't heard from your friend in a couple days. Are you sure he isn't ignoring you? Search your brain. Go back and think about literally everything you've done in the past few days. Did you do anything at all that could potentially cause your friend to hate you? No? Are you sure? Why don't you ask if he's mad at you, just in case?
In conclusion, having intense social anxiety is the most annoying thing ever.
