To ask you all for a big bag of grips?

[Ilovemybed2022]

so as not to drip feed, I suffer from generalised anxiety disorder. Thankfully I’m taking some meds that help me function day to day.

however, I need to go to London for work for a few days next week: it’s a new job and I don’t know a soul. Also have to go to a big company wide event in the evening.I’m a bit nervous: I hate using the underground; I hate crowded places, i don’t normally kind social events, but I don’t know a soul: and I’m a wee fat dumpy frumpy thing; at home in Scotland this doesn’t normally bother me, but I’m imagining London being full of cool, slim, trendy people. My minds playing overtime: what if there is a fire? A terrorist attack? A random knife attack? A nuclear bomb over London.

can some of you get your big bag of grips out and start passing them to me

The chances of something bad happening are very slim. Tbh on the train in London, we all seem to mind our business. It is not full of slim trendy people at all. Just normal people trying to get to where they need to be. You will be fine.

No grips, just a lot of sympathy! Try to focus on the facts: the chances of any of those events happening and affecting you is very, very small. Pick an outfit that you feel confident in, do your hair the way you like it and put on some make-up. You'll be fine😊

Just re-read your OP: you can always talk about the journey down from Scotland if you're stuck for small talk!

Thanks! This is the kinda thing I need! I’ve not been to London for years... I’m taking the train down: so at least I don’t have to get on a bloody flight (would it surprise y’all that I’m also scared of flying). My husband is oddly scared that I’ll get lost (this is not unimaginable, as I can get lost In debenhams)

I’ve been going in twice a week or more for twenty years. London is 80% full of grey tired people in offices in my experience. I guess there must be young and trendy people somewhere but Im not sure where.

I’ve never come across any kind of terror situation in all that time so I doubt you will either.

I'm chubby and frumpy and I swan around London with the best of them. Honestly the city is full of all sorts. Attacks of any sort are very rare. You'll be fine, honestly.

Good idea! I talk so much I could represent scotland in the talking Olympics. But, I always feel intimidated by people with proper English accents who look a bit posh !

You will fine. Treat yourself and take taxis !! You are then guaranteed a seat and can arrive like a movie star. (the underground is behind my brain).
london is full of weird and wonderful fashions as well bog standard t shirt and jeans brigade and people come in all manner of shapes and sizes - so far they haven’t put in screening to prevent the average joe from entering the capital.

Treat the after hours thing like work, not a social event. Give yourself a time limit when you will leave - unless it is a sit down dinner, an hour is fine. Set some work oriented objectives (talk to 3 people in my new depart, learn something new about my new boss, put a face to a name for key hr/it/finance contacts) than will give you focus and make it goal oriented

dumpy frumpy women (myself included) are well represented in London, and have more than equal claim to occupy space - we are paying our own way, aren’t we? I look upon those pretty young things with pity - no sense of self, living paycheque to paycheque, unreliable relationships. You are winning at life, they haven’t even figured out the rules of the game

Thanks for all the tips and grips ladies!! I shall indeed get a taxi from the train station to the hotel (are Ubers safe)?