Sunday, July 19, 2020

Where to Meet People When You Have Dating Anxiety

Where to Meet People When You Have Dating Anxiety Social Anxiety Disorder Coping Print Where to Meet People When You Have Dating Anxiety By Arlin Cuncic Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of Therapy in Focus: What to Expect from CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder and 7 Weeks to Reduce Anxiety. Learn about our editorial policy Arlin Cuncic Updated on February 16, 2020 Social Anxiety Disorder Overview Symptoms & Diagnosis Causes Treatment Living With In Children The gym can be a good place to meet potential dates. Getty / Blend Images / JGI/Jamie Grill If you live with dating anxiety, you may have trouble knowing how and where to meet people. Traditional spots for meeting partners such as bars or the local supermarket require you to strike up a conversationâ€"a task that can be difficult if you have severe anxiety. If you live with social anxiety disorder (SAD) or are simply chronically shy, chances are that these situations will not showcase your best qualities. Fortunately, there are many ways to meet people that do not require you to display wit or charm on cue. Below are some suggestions on where to meet people if you live with  social anxiety. Friends or Family Enter the dating scene by letting family and friends know that you are looking.?? Those closest to you likely have a good sense of your unique qualities and who might be compatible as a dating partner. Going on a date may feel less nerve-wracking if your potential date is a friend of someone whom you know. Best of allâ€"you wont need to try out any pickup lines, as the family friend date can be arranged through your mutual contact. Your friend or family member can arrange a blind date, or you could go on a double date to make the first encounter less stressful. Managing Relationships When You Have SAD Community Groups Don’t overlook groups to which  you already belong, such as your church or neighborhood association.?? If you have not been very active in attending events organized by these groups in the past, try helping to organize their next event. As you work alongside others in the group, they will become more familiar to you, and you may find yourself more at ease exploring romantic possibilities. How to Make Social Media Work With Social Anxiety Disorder Service Organizations/Volunteering One of the best ways to meet potential romantic partners is to join a service organization or spend time volunteering. Choose an organization with a cause in which you believe, such as protecting the environment or animal rights, and you will meet like-minded people.?? Working together in a group creates a sense of camaraderie that makes it easier to get to know people on a personal level. Educational Settings Whether you are in college or university, or just taking an adult education class, meeting people in a classroom setting has many advantages. Classes usually last for several months, giving you enough time to get to know people. Difficult assignments or upcoming exams also give you an excuse to get together for study sessions or to compare notes. Best of all, being in the same class gives you an automatic topic for conversationâ€"what do you think of the teacher, are you enjoying the class? Having common ground is much easier than starting from scratch. Work If you have a job, meeting someone at work may be the easiest way for you to find a partner. Instead of hiding at your desk during lunch, join your coworkers and make a point of asking about their weekends, their families, and their hobbies. Even if you dont end up finding a romantic match, you might make some new friends along the way. Social Anxiety and Employment Online/Personals Don’t be too quick to discount using online dating services or personal ads. The hard part of meeting people, that is, approaching strangers, is much easier in an online environment.?? People who place personal ads online or in the newspaper are also usually serious about finding romantic partners. Best of all, you have the chance to carefully put together a personal description that reflects your true inner spiritâ€"qualities that are probably not going to shine through during a quick encounter. Sports Even if you have never played sports in your life, they can be a great avenue for meeting people. Joining a beginner sports league such as baseball or volleyball gives you the chance to learn a new skill while also building new relationships.?? In addition, watching how others handle themselves during a gameâ€"whether they show good sportsmanship and offer help and advice to newcomers to the sportâ€"can tell you a lot about how they would conduct themselves in a romantic relationship. Dog Park If you own a dog, take it to a dog park! Look for other owners who are there on their own and strike up a conversation. Having the dogs to talk about will help to break the ice, and knowing that you have at least one thing in common is a good starting point for conversation.?? How Having a Pet Affects Your Stress Levels Hobbies and Clubs If you don’t already have a hobby, think about what interests you. Perhaps you always wanted to join a book club or gardening group. By participating in a hobby with opportunities for social gatherings, the odds of you meeting like-minded people will increase.?? Best of all, if your hobby is a passion, you will find it easier to strike up conversations with people you meet who share your passion. Specialty Stores Browsing in a specialty store gives you the opportunity to meet people with similar interests.?? Take notice of the books that strangers are looking at or the music that they pick up. If you see an opportunity to comment on an item that you likeâ€"take it. Talking with people about things you are passionate about is easier than grasping at conversation topics. A Word From Verywell If you are just  shy or nervous about dating, you probably still push yourself to go on dates and form romantic relationships. On the other hand, if you live with SAD, you may avoid romantic pursuits altogether. Unfortunately, if this behavior is allowed to continue over a long period of time, your  chance of meeting someone and having a satisfying romantic relationship is greatly reduced. Proper diagnosis and treatment including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and/or medication can help you to overcome the symptoms of SAD. Take the first step toward getting help and you will become more open to meeting new people and excited about the romantic prospects that await you.