Redheaded Jill

Part 1: Going places

As someone who struggles with social anxiety I feel that the term is overused. Millennials are super into therapy, and labeling their issues. Everyone has some sort of diagnosis and we’re constantly talking about our trauma. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to be self aware and get help. I wish EVERYONE had the chance to talk to a good therapist. It’s almost like… I have a good life, what right do I have to complain or have problems?

BUT… we’re going to ignore those feelings of inadequacy and guilt and talk about the difficulty of simple things.

One simple thing that I sometimes find EXTREMELY difficult is going places.. To be precise, going places where I have to 1. get out of the car. 2. engage in small talk. 3. participate in any type of activity. 4. be around strangers.

When I was my grandma’s caretaker I would run errands on Tuesdays and Thursdays because that’s when a hired helper would come fix her lunch and keep her company for a couple hours in the afternoon. I would plan to fit as many errands into one afternoon as possible. Doctor appointments, grocery runs, trips to the post office, leisure shopping, social outings… I would get through 1-2 of the errands and then I would pull into the grocery store parking lot. I would see how full the parking lot was, how many people were going in and out of the doors and I would ponder… Do I have the energy to go into the store and battle all these people? 90% of the time the answer was no. I would turn around and go home saying, “Next time…” Then rona happened and grocery stores started doing grocery pick up and I was thrilled. Not only do I save $$ because I don’t browse, but I can get everything I need without going into the store. (I’m sure this has actually hindered me… But I still take full advantage of the service.)

to be continued…