Feeling overwhelmed by socialising post lockdown

[bestwisheskindregards]

AIBU to feel overwhelmed and a bit stressed at the thought of my calendar filling up with social events now that restrictions are lifting and everyone wants to catch up?

Next weekend, I’ve got social plans on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Don’t get me wrong, I’m looking forward to seeing friends and they’re all nice plans but I feel quite anxious and overwhelmed about all that socialising. Not anxious about catching COVID, just anxious because I’m not used to it anymore and feel like it’ll be sensory overload! (They’re all plans with different people and would be difficult to rearrange and spread out more - I’ve already tried that haha).

I’m a big introvert and always have been and even pre-COVID, I’d always try to book in days for ‘down time’ but I would’ve been alright with the odd super social weekend. But now I think I’ll feel exhausted and so drained by it!

Anyone else feel the same?

I thought I was an extrovert but I am really struggling to want to see anyone right now. One friend every two weeks seems about right! I was so pleased when a lovely friend and I realised we'd both mucked up on dates and had to reschedule for next month. Not good. And I am accidentlaly ghosting friends i love because they want to fix dates to meet up and it's inducing a mild anxiety in me. I need to sort this out!

I know what you mean. We were with family from Thursday evening until Tuesday lunchtime, and - although they are all very lovely - I was so, so glad when we were finally on our own!

Definitely. I do love all my friends really! But all of a sudden it's a bit much. I am not quite the socialite I thought I was !

Yes, I am struggling with these feelings too. I had my first baby just before the first lockdown and I'm constantly knackered anyway as he is a shit sleeper, plus I feel like I haven't yet learned how to combine a social life with parenthood even just seeing close family seems way more stressful than it ought to be!

Me too. I’m an introvert anyway but the thought of social events and facing humankind again brings anxiety.

Yep same!

I also have no conversation 😬 I’m rusty!

Me too I’m at the in-laws for the weekend. I’ve not had to stay over for the last 14 months and we’ve just met up half way for 3-4 hours or so when restrictions have allowed this which has been so much easier. Luckily my friends are also introverted so we are organising a few catch ups over the next few weeks but will keep them spaced out and no-ones in a rush.

Me too, I'm an introvert and autistic and it feels like all the social skills I've learnt over my lifetime have just disappeared. It's overwhelming the sudden change again.

Saaame

I went to a picnic last weekend and was absolutely dreading it (though it was great once there). I felt a bit like I had whiplash trying to chat to everyone.

I then did personal admin on Sunday and I just felt massively wiped out by Monday! I blame the socialising.

If you are not comfortable with all three, then cancel one of them, but do so now instead of last minute.

No one has got anything to talk about, no one has done anything . Hope it goes ok

I’m the same and I’m normally an extrovert! I’ve loved my little life over lockdown, a simpler existence and more family time. I really can’t be arsed to go out socialising. Plus, I’d need to put on a proper bra, and they’re all a bit tight now! And I think my makeup has probably all gone mouldy!

Definitely.

Lockdown has shown me just how much I like to be alone with my family.

We had a bbq at our house last weekend with 2 other families. I was completely and utterly exhausted afterwards.

We haven’t seen loads of people but we’re getting back our there slowly. I’ve definitely found outdoor meet ups feel easier than indoor, since they’ve been allowed.

I’ve got so used to just us in our house and having people inside or being inside someone else’s house is more stressful, it’s the contained noise I think. Not worried about catching anything, just not used to being that close to people. In the garden or in a park is much nicer for now. Which I hadn’t expected, but it’s early days and it’s been a very peculiar time. Cut yourself some slack and cancel stuff if you want to.

Ugh, yes. My DH is desperate to get out loads and have people over.... I can't think of anything worse. I'm just glad to be able to take the kids out to slightly more interesting places - that'll do me! I don't need people thrown in as well! I suspect I'll have to compromise sooner or later, and actually start properly seeing people... it's so draining though.

Yup, totally! Extrovert here... Or so i always thought. Really finding the socialising hard.