The most comfortable I've ever been while socializing was in a psych ward

Yes I think it can probably feel like a burden sometimes - maybe if you get too relaxed you know and like forget to do your best and show that you’re trying and that you really genuinely appreciate it. I have found many of these v open extroverts are quite drawn to v introverted people sometimes as maybe they find it interesting as so different from themselves? So that can provide some compensation you know - they seem to like to hear about my inner world often - even intensely at times. And I have found (surprisingly honestly) that I can often give considerable emotional support to people like this in private. This helps us feel like we’re both giving equally perhaps. Plus if I do have to lean a lot one time I really try to notice it and to make an obvious major effort next time - both with them and with any of their friends who might have noticed me struggle or whatever. It helps that I am just so grateful really. This just naturally stops me getting too much I think at least most of the time. Plus I have found these people v forgiving honestly!

/r/socialanxiety Thread Parent