Do you think there's any good side about having social anxiey?

[Perhaps]

I don't remember if I saw this exact question on Reddit or it was actually on here, but anyway, i want to know your opinion..

Do you think social anxiety has benefited you in any way at all?

[sophie79]

I think if I wasn't who I am with the problems I've got, then I wouldn't live where I live or have the same friends, or the same job. I'd be someone totally different. For all I know that someone else may have a much worse time of it for different reasons despite being free of SA. So I'm grateful for my lot.

[anxiouslondoner]

Saves me money on buying birthday or Christmas presents.

[Amara 94]

I think for me although it makes me an easy target it has also prevented me from being bullied or teased as it makes it easier to hide certain aspects of myself.

[Merry]

No

[Dougella]

I think because I didn't feel at all able to have relationships when I was young and in my early twenties that did mean I didn't experience any of the really difficult/abusive things that some people experience in those situations.

[BFG_]

Less chances of being taken advantage by unscrupulous fraudsters as there's no chance you'd ever answer the door to speak to them.

[Hylas]

On the Myers Briggs I return as INFJ which is unusual for a guy apparently. It took me a long while to lose the neuroticism but with age comes wisdom and peace, finding myself more relaxed and less tolerant of bullies. Work showed me things not least that I had something to offer. I feel good about being me nowadays whereas I was filled with self loathing for so many years. Folk have been kind enough to intimate how much I mean to them, at one time I was so wrapped up in myself to believe that such a notion was possible, my SA created so many barriers to healthy relationships in the past and still lingers today although less intensely. Regrets, regrets. Maybe there is no gain without pain.

[Mr. Nobody]

It seemed to set me off on my own personal path in life, somewhat cast adrift from the groups of peers all seemingly doing the same things,

When I was young I loved nothing better than being off doing my own thing, wandering for hours through the local countryside alone,
I think it worried my parents a little at times, as I guess it appeared Oddly anti-social

I think this aloneness gave me something, something from nature seemed to breath a different life into me, and open up a different direction for me,

I wasn't always aware that it was SA, but just that I was always Oddly, invariably different in social terms.

I saw this as a blessing, this singular commune with the elements

It inspired a different view on things and set in motion and more creative lifestyle which saw me through many otherwise barren times,

It's still there, whenever I wander off into the countryside, this almost intimate communion with the natural, the elemental,

People have made fun of this, but it's only ever been good for me

[Bluebear]

Originally Posted by Mr. Nobody

It seemed to set me off on my own personal path in life, somewhat cast adrift from the groups of peers all seemingly doing the same things,

When I was young I loved nothing better than being off doing my own thing, wandering for hours through the local countryside alone,
I think it worried my parents a little at times, as I guess it appeared Oddly anti-social

I think this aloneness gave me something, something from nature seemed to breath a different life into me, and open up a different direction for me,

I wasn't always aware that it was SA, but just that I was always Oddly, invariably different in social terms.

I saw this as a blessing, this singular commune with the elements

It inspired a different view on things and set in motion and more creative lifestyle which saw me through many otherwise barren times,

It's still there, whenever I wander off into the countryside, this almost intimate communion with the natural, the elemental,

People have made fun of this, but it's only ever been good for me

Good post.

People have made fun of me ''becoming'' a bear, but I guess this is a positive to my social anxiety.... were it not for the social anxiety I wouldn't have such an (almost) intimate link/communion with bears (btw I'm not mocking your post, I like it!)

[BFG_]

^^ did you have a kestrel?

[biscuits]

It's helped me to learn resilience and find ways to let the anxiety travel through me. I'm not sure how else to describe that. It's taught me how to focus on what I want to experience and achieve despite of the general/social anxiety.

Feeling comfortable to go to places and do things on my own.

Being able to say no and say no to the things that I don't want to do.

[Lee S]

Originally Posted by BFG_

^^ did you have a kestrel?

C'mon Kes, time to get 'ome to make t tea for our Jud.

[biscuits]

Originally Posted by BFG_

Less chances of being taken advantage by unscrupulous fraudsters as there's no chance you'd ever answer the door to speak to them.

And no chance of answering the phone!

[T]

Originally Posted by biscuits

It's helped me to learn resilience and find ways to let the anxiety travel through me. I'm not sure how else to describe that. It's taught me how to focus on what I want to experience and achieve despite of the general/social anxiety.

Feeling comfortable to go to places and do things on my own.

Being able to say no and say no to the things that I don't want to do.

That's what my SA is like... i tend not let it dictate my life... sometimes it does flair up in certain situations ... but i'm so glad it didn't get the better of me regarding going to festivals n gigs on my own!

[Bluebear]

Originally Posted by biscuits

And no chance of answering the phone!

and zero chance of answering the door

[biscuits]

*gets a doorbell that squirts people with water*