Some of my avoidant behaviours that I've consciously tried to stop...
In my current job, we all have our own rooms. So in the past, if I came into work and a group of people were all talking (I fear large groups mostly), I would say hi briefly and walk past them and just hide out in my room, pretending to do paperwork or call someone on my cellphone or something.
Now I usually force myself to participate in the conversation until everyone disperses. It's become a lot easier, but still some days are better than others.
Another one is I used to cross my arms or hold a file folder in front of my body while talking to others, something to "shield" myself from them I guess, or wedge a barrier in between us. I have since stopped with the file folders but I still cross my arms sometimes without even knowing it I think.
I also sometimes feel like I don't know what to do with my mouth when I'm talking to someone. Eye contact is weird enough, but I always feel like if I keep my lips completely shut, that I look cold and unfriendly, uninterested. So sometimes I feel compelled to open my mouth slightly, as if I am interested, like as if I'm about to say "A ha!" or "I see!"
Dunno if anyone can relate to that, kind of strange yes? But yeah that's me, Mr. Strange. As my newfie neighbour would say, I am "quite the bird." Whatever that means.
