Going to go to a meetup tomorrow for a picnic with other people, hopefully to try to be social and talk to some new people. I know this is very casual and not a big deal, but I have had really bad social anxiety basically my whole life. I don’t know if this is related to the Autism, or if its because I didn’t make any friends or relationships in high school or college at all and got treated like shit by nearly everyone, and I’m just scared of people in general because of that. However, I’m done with having no one to talk to, so I think this will be a good thing for me.
…still really nervous tho.
(Also I’m debating if I should disclose if I am Autistic at any point tomorrow. Never did it before with anyone else I tried to talk and make friends with but it didn’t help at all. Maybe only if someone else says it?? idk maybe if there is a right moment to do it.)
Just keep realistic expectations, and be kind to yourself. Take breaks if you need to. Stay aware of your energy levels, and don’t be afraid to call it a night early if need be. You rarely “get over” social anxiety, but through baby steps and conditioning, you learn to make it very manageable.
Also, don’t worry about disclosing your autism. Honestly, most people can pick up on the subtleties after a bit, and it also rarely matters to worthwhile people.