How to meet your boyfriend’s friends and hang out with them when you have social anxiety?

[Anonymous]

I always wanna hang out with my boyfriend and his friends, or at least come around here and there. But, my social anxiety freaking sucks. I’m scared that no one is gonna talk to me, or I’ll sit there awkwardly, or I won’t have any knowledge of what they all talk about. I just know I’m going to be the fish out of water and that’s my fear. I wanna hang out with them, at least once, but all of these reasons hold me back so I just stay away. I’ve been dealing with social anxiety for as long as I can even remember. There are times where I feel like I don’t have it, vice versa. I know I have to push myself at times, but the initial thought is scary. His friends usually ask him to bring me, but I always opt out. It sucks so much :(

[Anonymous]

I struggle with that too, and let me tell you getting into a better place is not something that is going to happen over night and you’re really going to have to challenge those negative thoughts. Anxiety in general comes from a trigger, and sometimes working with a therapist can help you figure out why you battle yourself so much, so I would really suggest investing in one. But if that isn’t an option, you already have one or you’ve already done therapy and it didn’t help, then start helping yourself. Look around online, find ways to cope with your anxiety and combat it. Sometimes it takes literally forcing yourself to do something. Like put your foot down and don’t let the bad thoughts win, even just one time. For me it was developing my confidence and self assurance, not caring so much what people thought and ultimately wanting to feel proud that I pushed myself to do something hard, no matter what the outcome of that thing is. It’s tough to do but so much better than how disappointed you feel in yourself when you turn something down or don’t even try conquering your fear.

[Anonymous]

I want to know the same thing. I am meeting my boyfriend's friends tomorrow because they really want to meet me and I'm scared shitless because of my social anxiety and awkwardness. I want to meet them because they all seem cool but I'm worried I'll be a fish out of water as well and won't be able to keep up with the conversations. I'll let you know how it goes and try to give you my advice from my experience.

[Guy13]

You chill out and be in their presence. You don't have to do or say much as you are a woman.

[midnightcavern01]

Start with 1 friend. Don't hang out without your partner to help put you at ease and work your way up