Hi Everyone

overthinker · #1 8th October 2014, 19:39

Hi,

Finally got round to the uncomfortable task for me of introducing myself!
I am a woman in my forties and have suffered from social anxiety for as long as I can remember. I have decided it's not too late to try and do something about it hence joining this site.

My life is mostly good, I have a family and a few friends and appear fairly normal, if a little shy, to the outside world. I do, however, suffer a lot internally and often worry what people are thinking of me. I critically evaluate my performance after unfamiliar ( and sometimes familiar) social interactions. I tend to stay very much within my comfort zone and would like to change that.

Really would love to connect with people with similar feelings and it's so good to know I'm not the only one!!!

thaigreen · #2 8th October 2014, 19:40

Hey overthinker, welcome! Hope you'll find this site useful

Ponytales67 · #3 8th October 2014, 19:46

Hello overthinker - were we separated at birth??!! You sound like a carbon copy of me and my life

Welcome and please feel free to pm me or talk over the forum threads

Dear turtle · #4 8th October 2014, 20:06

Welcome! I feel as if I could have written your post. Hope to see you around the forum

Focused · #5 10th October 2014, 12:08

overthinker · #6 12th October 2014, 17:21

Thanks everyone for your kind welcome. Nice to know I'm not alone Ponytails and Dear turtle. Looking forward to getting to know some of you.

ZooWeeMama · #7 12th October 2014, 23:53

Hi overthinker, I'm of similar age, surprised to still be suffering SA at this stage. Social life shrinking as time goes on. It's great to hear of others who feel the same. Welcome.

Princess39 · #8 13th October 2014, 00:01

Hello!!

overthinker · #9 13th October 2014, 08:42

Hello Princess39

.Hi ZooWeeMama, yes I think mine has shrunk too as I have thrown myself into bringing up my children which was the most rewarding thing for me. Now they are becoming independent I'm feeling a little lost.

ZooWeeMama · #10 14th October 2014, 01:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by overthinker

Hello Princess39

.Hi ZooWeeMama, yes I think mine has shrunk too as I have thrown myself into bringing up my children which was the most rewarding thing for me. Now they are becoming independent I'm feeling a little lost.

Mine are 12 and 9, we're still really close and I dread them becoming disinterested in family stuff, and I don't even want to think about them leaving home.

overthinker · #11 14th October 2014, 13:25

Thanks Badger

overthinker · #12 14th October 2014, 13:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZooWeeMama

Mine are 12 and 9, we're still really close and I dread them becoming disinterested in family stuff, and I don't even want to think about them leaving home.

I think if you are close now you always will be as I am still to my children who are late teens. We still do lots together but I'm finding I have more time to myself which is nice in a lot of ways but a few more friends would be lovely too!

Princess39 · #13 14th October 2014, 15:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by overthinker

Hello Princess39

.Hi ZooWeeMama, yes I think mine has shrunk too as I have thrown myself into bringing up my children which was the most rewarding thing for me. Now they are becoming independent I'm feeling a little lost.

I know exactly how you feel.My lad's 20 and doing his own thing now.

markie · #14 14th October 2014, 16:33

welcome

ZooWeeMama · #15 15th October 2014, 00:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by overthinker

I think if you are close now you always will be as I am still to my children who are late teens. We still do lots together but I'm finding I have more time to myself which is nice in a lot of ways but a few more friends would be lovely too!

It really would, there are so many people on here saying the same thing. I hope we can all find the confidence to connect with people.

umm · #16 15th October 2014, 00:29

Hi OverThinker - welcome. I am new here too and it is a friendly site.

Nice to see people of similar ages to myself in similar situations. My kids are young yet but I will doubtless go through what you mention. I will do whatever it takes to maintain good relations with them through all of it.

All that said, I am going to log off now as I have a couple of things to catch up on. Princess39, CyprusPluto, et al - it was fun playing those word games with you so cheers for that!

nighty-night all zzzzzz....

Cowman · #17 15th October 2014, 13:36

Hi overthinker.

You welcomed me yesterday and now it's my turn to welcome you! Ok so I'm a bit late.

I'm in my 40's too. I don't have a family (well I have parents but I'm alone otherwise) but that's ok, us over 40's need to stick together! I'm considering creating a group for people with SA in the UK who are between 40 and 50, who like cows and enjoy pretending to be farmers. Do you think I'll get many members? Application forms to be completed by 14th October 2014.

Azalea · #18 15th October 2014, 13:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowman

I'm considering creating a group for people with SA in the UK who are between 40 and 50, who like cows and enjoy pretending to be farmers. Do you think I'll get many members? Application forms to be completed by 14th October 2014.

That's ageist

Cowman · #19 15th October 2014, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azalea

That's ageist

It is? *whoops*

You're right! I hadn't noticed.

Do you like cows?

(It's a horse but pretend it's a cow).

Azalea · #20 15th October 2014, 13:45

Some of them

overthinker · #21 15th October 2014, 15:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Princess39

I know exactly how you feel.My lad's 20 and doing his own thing now.

We should be proud they can do there own thing I guess and are not crippled with social anxiety

overthinker · #22 15th October 2014, 15:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Princess39

I know exactly how you feel.My lad's 20 and doing his own thing now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowman

Hi overthinker.

You welcomed me yesterday and now it's my turn to welcome you! Ok so I'm a bit late.

I'm in my 40's too. I don't have a family (well I have parents but I'm alone otherwise) but that's ok, us over 40's need to stick together! I'm considering creating a group for people with SA in the UK who are between 40 and 50, who like cows and enjoy pretending to be farmers. Do you think I'll get many members? Application forms to be completed by 14th October 2014.

I love cows, not sure about pretending to be a farmer as I've never tried that one!!

overthinker · #23 15th October 2014, 15:48

Haven't quite got the hang of this quote thing. But thanks all for your messages and for being so welcoming.

Cowman · #24 15th October 2014, 15:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by overthinker

I love cows, not sure about pretending to be a farmer as I've never tried that one!!

Well I haven't really tried it much, it's just a load of silly jokes about my cows and other animals that I don't really have.

It's great that you love cows! Aren't they the best?

I give cow rides at my farm - 2 for the price of 1! You should come over and try it.

overthinker · #25 16th October 2014, 12:18

Phool · #26 21st October 2014, 20:31

Hi overthinker

Also 40+ female. There is a 30+ section here and a chatroom. Hope you find it useful.

CyprusPluto · #27 21st October 2014, 21:08

Hiya

overthinker · #28 21st October 2014, 21:24

Hi Cyprus Pluto.

. Thanks Phool, nice to meet you both. Never done online chat before. I would imagine it takes some getting used to but I might try it sometime.

Custard_cream · #29 21st October 2014, 21:34

Hi Overthinker.

Welcome to the forum.