5. You Can’t Have a Social Life
Human beings are social creatures. You can’t exist in isolation. A person who is alone for too long is not a thriving person. There are optimal levels of social interaction each person requires. If you head back into the realm of stereotypes, there are extroverts and introverts.
Extroverts tend to socialize more because they draw energy from these interactions. People energize them. Rather, they find it exhilarating and exciting to interact. On the other end of the spectrum are introverts. These people tend to tire easily in social engagements.
Introverts don’t draw energy from people but have energy drawn from them. They require adequate alone time to recharge their batteries. These people tend to interact less than extroverts, but they still interact with people. However, there are anxious people in both these groups.
It may seem like there would be more anxiety among introverts, but it is possible for an extrovert to suffer from anxiety, too. The difference with anxious people is not whether they want to interact with people or not. It is about whether their anxiety will let them. Anxious people may want to go to a social event. They may even be prepared and excited for it.
But, then the anxiety kicks in. The mind then draws up possible situations that could intensify the anxiety. The person may even worry that their anxiety will decrease the enjoyment of the event for everyone else. If this happens, then others will not want them there.
At least this is what an anxious person thinks. So, they conclude it would be simpler if they just didn’t attend the event at all. This scenario replays with every social event.