To never go out by myself?

[imneveralone]

I'm in my early 20s and living with family.

I never leave the house alone, aside from driving to meet up with people/friends. I never just pop out alone to run errands. I don't know why, I just avoid doing it so much that it feels like it's not really an option. I have my own car and can drive, yet I barely even drive alone.

If I need to go shopping I'll go when someone else needs to go.

Today I had the day off of work and everyone else I know was working and I needed to go shopping, so I did. I got in my car and drove to the shops alone. I felt really anxious and unsettled wandering around my busy town centre alone.

I never really realised; it's quite abnormal for a healthy able-bodied 20-something year old to feel anxious going out alone isn't it?

Yes I find this extremely strange. I think you need to speak to someone about this anxiety

You obviously can do it, so I'd just make a point of doing it more often so you become comfortable with it.

It is yes.
You were anxious because it’s so new to you. You should maybe practice once a week doing something alone before you anxiety is too deeply set.

I was a confident 20-35 year old, even travelling abroad alone. Now nearly 50 I have such anxiety I can’t even answer the door to the home shopping delivery Go out and live your life before it becomes impossible.

I think if you're an anxious person it's easy to start depending on other people and then find it difficult when you have to do it alone. Just keep practicing and pushing yourself and it should become more normal. Are you NT? I would imagine that could be something an autistic person could struggle with.

Yes it is.
But!! You've done it, well done.
Make it a weekly thing on your day off.

You should try and move out soon when you can otherwise this will get worse

I think you need to speak to someone about this anxiety - Don't be ridiculous 🤣

You've just got into a habit of being with people when out & about, you do it though and it will only get easier the more you do it, like anything really

It's not abnormal to be anxious, it's just new. Try to do little trips by yourself- go for a drive to get a coffee or drive to go for a walk. You do get used to shopping and being alone in public, it's just weird at first- I was the same.

It's really nothing to worry about, you don't need therapy or to move out!