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Nova Gray

@girlinstars-blog

Hi there my name is Nova gray and im an 15yr old artist who mostly does fanart. Im a weirdo who wears all black and has colored hair. Im super socially awkward too. Isnt that just great!? Enjoy!

My struggle with social anxiety.

For as long as i can remember ive had social anxiety. You feel like you're constantly being judged. If you accidentally get something wrong or stumble at anything infront of somebody , it feels like the end of the world. To some people its just silly that i can't even go up and buy things for myself or answer the phone or door. But it's something I really struggle with. Im afraid of duin something wrong. Im afraid of being judged. Being told that you have done something wrong is likr a dagger in my heart. I literally could cry. When you're so so afraid of being judged, doing something wrong is just the end of the world. Sometimes i have to take out the trash , and as i start to head out to put the trash in the trash can i see a person and i run back inside because im again afraid of being judged or making conversation. I struggle with this every day...

What sucks about social anxiety....

You feel like a burden, or like you’re annoying. You get overly awkward with people. Ordering food is probably your worst fear. Public speaking? Forget about it. What’s that? You wanna say hi to someone? Here, have some awkwardness with that. Basically. This shit sucks.

I just went to my new school orientation and I wanted to panic and cry really badly because I didn’t know anyone at all. I moved to a new place in June and I have no friends here and all the kids here have known each other for years. So when I’m at the orientation everyone separates into “friend groups” and had no one. When school actually starts I’m going to be friendless yay

I WISH I COULD TELL PPL THIS

What I mean when I say “I can’t do that”- Anxiety Version:

  • I am unable to do that
  • I am too stressed out to do that
  • I cannot face the humiliation of attempting to do that
  • My body will physically not allow me to do that
  • I am on the verge of a panic attack
  • I cannot do that

What people hear:

  • I am unwilling to do that
  • I am just shy
  • I am overreacting
  • I am lazy
  • I need to get more experience in social situation to help my anxiety
  • I need a push
  • I don’t want to do that

cute anxiety things™

-“is this a real, justified fear or am i overreacting?” -the random person standing 200 miles away glances in your direction. they’re judging you. every single part of you, from your appearance to the way that you walk -presentations have your hands shaking. bonus points if someone points it out to you -sweating in the winter or in general for no damn reason -being aware of your presence and of other people’s presence and making sure everything is perfect -overanalyzing and assuming the worst outcomes -hating the feeling that someone doesn’t like you. ‘why don’t they like you? what’s wrong with you?’ -running away from problems or fights because you’re afraid that one wrong thing that could be said will lead to the loss of someone important to you -ANXIETY ATTACKS -criticism = “they hate me. i knew it! they hate me!” -worrying about the silliest things as possible things that could happen

Things You Might Relate To If You're An Aspie With Social Anxiety

- You dread being approached by people when you go in a store - You suffer from low self esteem - You don’t do parties - You’re easily over whelmed by crowds - You worry about how things will turn out in social situations - You don’t like sitting next to strangers on public transport - People often call you shy - Making friends is so much harder - Making small talk with a stranger , to you is an accomplishment - You don’t talk about your special interests with those who don’t know you well you’re afraid of what they will think - Approaching people is difficult and could lead to an awkward conversation - Your idea of a great evening is watching tv at home or reading book - You can count the number of friends you have on one hand or you don’t have any

Depsite the struggles you’re gradually learning how to over come your social anxiety.

Some things to understand about people with anxiety

Everything is the end of the world to them- The smallest of tasks can stress out someone with anxiety and override their nerves. Things such as calling to make an appointment or picking up a prescription at the pharmacy can get their heart racing just thinking about dealing with it.

They can be really overwhelming- When someone with anxiety is feeling especially anxious they can be exhausting, talk really fast, and have scattered thoughts. It’s best if you can just try to remain calm and just listen to them as best you can until the storm passes.

Don’t act like you pity them- People with anxiety never want to feel like someone pities them. It’s already easy enough for them to think that there’s something wrong with them, or have a flaw that they can’t change. It’s important to treat them as normally as possible.

Do not tell them to calm down if they are having a panic attack- This will not help and will only make it worse. No amount of “it’s going to be okay” or “calm down” is going to help. In fact it will just make things worse. Try to be calm and have as much patience as possible until it passes. Try not to do anything that makes it more difficult for them. Let them know that you are there for them without being too overbearing.