Briars_Luck
Member
Hi, there.. I'm new here, and have made a couple of posts already, and have only just seen this introduction thread. I'm usually more observant!
Anyway, I'm 38 years old, female, from Canada (Calgary, to be specific). I'm a single mom to a great little guy, he's 3.. and my bff. We adopted a cat a few months ago, who rounds out the family.
I don't have any hobbies so to speak, though I do like horse-racing. Is handicapping a hobby? I guess it could be.. though I'll never make it big. It's just something I've always enjoyed, even though I was a city kid who never had any exposure to horses at all growing up.
I like to read, and used to devour books.. but since my son, I mostly snack on them now.. lol. A chapter here and there. A book that would take 2-3 days, now takes me a month, but it's all good. I savour them more now, I suppose.
Alright then.. about my social anxiety...
I didn't even realize I had social anxiety until a few months back when I took a Life Skills course. I always thought I was anti-social, and flakey.. a horrible friend. I found out that I'm extremely introverted (but not shy).. and that people completely exhaust me. I like people, I do.. but in small, controlled doses. I was the type of kid who only ever felt secure in my own environment.. and would always end up going home if invited for a sleep-over. I have spent my entire life avoiding people.. I see someone I know in a store, and I hide. I could never understand why I did it. I hardly ever answer my phone, because for me.. my life hardly ever changes. I like my life, I'm not depressed or sad.. but to have a conversation with someone who I talked to yesterday (or even a week ago).. when everything is exactly the same as it was the last time we spoke, is again.. exhausting mentally, for me. My best friend in the whole world, is exactly the same as me.. and the last time we saw each other was in February!.. We catch up with text messages and through facebook from time to time, but people are often mystified by our lack of "hanging out." Her and I have long since stopped apologizing to each other or from making idle plans to meet up someday.. only to back out later. We "get" each other, and I'm so fortunate to have someone like her in my life, as no one else really understands. I've been accused of being snobby.. shy.. standoffish.. bitch.. and other things. Told I need to get a life and go outside more.
I'm a nice person.. and a great listener. The internet has opened up a lot of the world for me, as I can socialize on-line just fine.
I've had severe depression in the past, but it was more environmentally caused (I worked for awhile in an isolated environment and burnt out hard).. though I am prone to melancholy. I don't mind it though.. as it makes me feel nostalgic and reflective.
Because of my son, it's impossible to just curl up in a ball everyday and avoid life... so we do get out often. We head to the Science Centre and the Zoo a lot.. He's my polar opposite, a social butterfly, so even though it's tough somedays to get going, I can't stifle him. He keeps me from stagnating. He tires me out though... good lord. I got a late start, having him at 35.. my knees were already creaking and groaning, lol..
I hope that intro was ok? I can ramble sometimes! :
:
Cheers.
Anyway, I'm 38 years old, female, from Canada (Calgary, to be specific). I'm a single mom to a great little guy, he's 3.. and my bff. We adopted a cat a few months ago, who rounds out the family.
I don't have any hobbies so to speak, though I do like horse-racing. Is handicapping a hobby? I guess it could be.. though I'll never make it big. It's just something I've always enjoyed, even though I was a city kid who never had any exposure to horses at all growing up.
I like to read, and used to devour books.. but since my son, I mostly snack on them now.. lol. A chapter here and there. A book that would take 2-3 days, now takes me a month, but it's all good. I savour them more now, I suppose.
Alright then.. about my social anxiety...
I didn't even realize I had social anxiety until a few months back when I took a Life Skills course. I always thought I was anti-social, and flakey.. a horrible friend. I found out that I'm extremely introverted (but not shy).. and that people completely exhaust me. I like people, I do.. but in small, controlled doses. I was the type of kid who only ever felt secure in my own environment.. and would always end up going home if invited for a sleep-over. I have spent my entire life avoiding people.. I see someone I know in a store, and I hide. I could never understand why I did it. I hardly ever answer my phone, because for me.. my life hardly ever changes. I like my life, I'm not depressed or sad.. but to have a conversation with someone who I talked to yesterday (or even a week ago).. when everything is exactly the same as it was the last time we spoke, is again.. exhausting mentally, for me. My best friend in the whole world, is exactly the same as me.. and the last time we saw each other was in February!.. We catch up with text messages and through facebook from time to time, but people are often mystified by our lack of "hanging out." Her and I have long since stopped apologizing to each other or from making idle plans to meet up someday.. only to back out later. We "get" each other, and I'm so fortunate to have someone like her in my life, as no one else really understands. I've been accused of being snobby.. shy.. standoffish.. bitch.. and other things. Told I need to get a life and go outside more.
I'm a nice person.. and a great listener. The internet has opened up a lot of the world for me, as I can socialize on-line just fine.
I've had severe depression in the past, but it was more environmentally caused (I worked for awhile in an isolated environment and burnt out hard).. though I am prone to melancholy. I don't mind it though.. as it makes me feel nostalgic and reflective.
Because of my son, it's impossible to just curl up in a ball everyday and avoid life... so we do get out often. We head to the Science Centre and the Zoo a lot.. He's my polar opposite, a social butterfly, so even though it's tough somedays to get going, I can't stifle him. He keeps me from stagnating. He tires me out though... good lord. I got a late start, having him at 35.. my knees were already creaking and groaning, lol..
I hope that intro was ok? I can ramble sometimes! :
Cheers.
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