@adytum_official: Covid broke a lot of people’s social muscles and most of us still haven’t rebuilt them. If you’ve been living small and your anxiety keeps getting worse instead of better, that’s not a coincidence. Your nervous system got comfortable being safe and now it doesn’t want to let go. #anxiety #covid #MentalHealth #introvert #socialanxiety

Amanda • SAHM | 2 under 2 :

This time was also the birth of "not owing anyone anything"

Delco_jawnn :

The same thing happened to me. I THRIVED during COVID because I didn’t have to do anything. Afterward when it was time to get back to it, I realized I developed a form of agoraphobia. I’m still working my way back.

Mom :

Or…maybe we were trained by consumer culture to go out more than we naturally would and historically, as a species and society, have. Only very recently in human history have we been asked to socialize and interact with as many people as we have in the last 100 years. Maybe for many of us, reducing our social interactions is a welcome and natural response to what have been unnatural social expectations and pressures.

5thcamouflage :

The more people don’t leave the house, the larger the outside world becomes, and the scarier it gets. Even small tasks like going to the post office becomes overwhelming for a lot of people.

Bitterbrush Workshop :

As the friend who doesn't so much have this, I want to be sympathetic to the people I know who do, but there's a real undercurrent to "introvert culture" that glorifies canceling plans and acts like anyone who is more extroverted than you doesn't have feelings. It bums me out to look forward to doing something with a friend whom I don't see often (because they don't leave their house often) and then have it canceled 9 times out of 10, especially when I hear later that they tell others or post online that being home is what they wanted all along. If that's the case then don't lead me on? This is also always, and I do mean always, coupled with dismay when I slow down invitations to protect my own feelings and prioritize friends who make me feel like they actually want my presence.

krissy | media analysis ♡ :

it's hard because it costs $100 to leave your house also everyone is mean now

willowdoggie :

This is so true. Opposite action is a therapy tactic to counter this! I am very introverted and lowkey gave myself mild agoraphobia. I get terrible headaches and panic attacks going out to see people/hang out. Still working on fixing it…

Tolucafake :

Outside is EXPENSIVE

Kelsey and Charlee :

I am the same way, and it’s a huge problem for me because I’m single but I don’t want to be. I’ve embraced the idea that the complete opposite of my current lifestyle will get me what I want. I’m starting by going to the grocery store every weekend in the middle of the day to put myself around the most people possible. It’s not fun, but it’s desensitizing me and now I’m willing to start going on dates too!

Rebecca Sullivan369 :

I don't want to do anything anymore. I wfh and feel like I'm no longer capable of working outside the house. I hate leaving.

cloud :

When I feel like this I remind myself that I’ll feel good after I did the thing. I never regret going out with my friends. I always come home thinking “I’m so glad I went”

Adriana :

Sometimes I think people confuse it though. do you hate all grocery stores or only certain ones? do you really not want to see your friends or do you not like the place. sometimes it could be anxiousness but sometimes I think some people like chiller environments

Dolores Gaut :

Tbh, I think Covid made me realize how much I was masking myself to make myself fit in. I don’t have anxiety about leaving the house, I just don’t want to because my home and my neighborhood are all I need right now.

privatecaboose :

COVID made me realize I am happier at.home with a book. I still go out and see people but I'm intentional in what I do. I don't really enjoy parties with lots of people so I don't prioritize them. I schedule small get togethers and I honor the fact that being back in the office 5 days a week is tiring. I deal with people ALL day. Prioritizing my alone time is ok!

zzzbee333 :

I was already a bit of a hermit before Covid, but after, I’m certified. I’ve been trying to come out more this year.

Savanna :

I’m also tired all the time and have no money 😅

Dryad Girl :

Hi from my agoraphobic life

user2422890875934 :

Ok but Covid’s still circulating so….

glow_wormb :

I hate how much this is true. It’s honestly scary. I’ve gotten to the point where my body gets physically ill when I have to do things. I can push through tho and I’m fine and it’s fun, but why did I have to fall down such a deep hole? I yearn for who I once was

ChopTheCactus :

Thank you for this.

SomeoneElseDecide :

I think you're right. after I quit teaching (where I was constantly irritated band dresses and overstimulated lol) to working from home by myself and now my tolerance for irritants is like non existent

invisibleactsoflove :

I’m hardly doing anything anymore, because Covid is still happening, and I’m tired of being the only person masking and having people gaslight me about it.

anonymous :

I actually stumbled upon this accidentally during 2020 because I suddenly had a lot of free time. I worked an all consuming job that chose to give us 6mos off full pay. About 36hrs in I decided to take solo, social distanced adventures with my dogs. It was safe and I started to see my confidence soar. It transformed over the last 6y into me traveling the entire world solo, which I dont think I would have done in 2019. Solo travel is insanely empowering and addicting, it really just takes pulling the trigger and starting small. I am so glad I didnt let myself languish

eriqqa :