I am quite shy. I started a new job 3 months ago remotely, slowly I have started to become more confident and comfortable with my colleagues, and I can happily make small talk on Teams calls and speak up in meetings.
However, we are now back in the office 1-2 times per week, and I hate it. I feel really awkward and shy around my colleagues, it feels like I don't 'know' them even though we speak on Teams constantly. It's really weird, it feels like I know them but I don't know them. I find it really uncomfortable and disconcerting.
I have noticed I have started to pull away, I sometimes find myself deliberately booking an office desk in the corner away from them, or I avoid joining them for lunch or I even go into the office on quieter days when there are less people. There's a department Secret Santa and I haven't signed up because I still feel like I don't know anyone well enough.
Does anyone have any advice?