How do I show my reserved side as an adult?

[Anonymous]

I am an introvert that fakes confidence and like my few athletic hobbies, alone time, and videogames. I have moved every year since college cause there is something that was just missing or i was getting too buddy buddy with the aquantencies I made. Luckily my career is temporary IT contract positions through a third party project team. I am lucky to have never had to work in a set office or socialize in person with coworkers/commute to work. The issue is today is the first day of my second lease in my current location and nerves hit hard. I miss the feeling of a fresh start and now feel scared that i may have to share more personal details with teamates or get to know people for real. I have ran from this for 7 years and feel like they will discover I am actually introverted.

[Smoke-n-Growls]

I think you need to talk to a professional about this. It's one thing to be introverted, it's another - and it's more normal than I think most of us want to believe - to have trouble making friends as an adult.

You do need friendships - not many, a few is fine - in your life. We are social creatures and our physiology just isn't designed to be isolated. It's one reason COVID has seen a rise in mental health issues.

Learning how to open up to other people can be scary, but you get to choose what you share, how much, and with whom.

Maybe letting some people in and letting them get to know who you really are could be good.

But honestly, working with a professional would be your best bet, in my opinion. They're also legally bound NOT to say anything about your treatments, so they're a safe person to open up to.