I lived in a dorm with private rooms, but social kitchen. When I stayed in my room I felt bad, since I could be in the kitchen socialising with other people.
When I moved out of the dorm to my own apartment I completely stopped agonising about having to spend time with people, and could just relax alone at home. It was a great relief.
It is kinda weird seeing someone with a similar method of thinking as me for this kind of scenario. My family wants me to go to the family parties, but I for the life of me have absolutely no desire to do so. They are good people and I have no qualms with them, but I have no desire to see them outside of an occasional small interaction.
Am I alone with that thought process? It feels like I am.
This hits way too close to home, so many times I'll go out and feel anxious the entire time despite being around old friends or family
Almost feels like I'm observing the event because my mind is in such a whirlwind that even though I'm participating in conversation, I'm somehow detached and almost uninvested because I can't actually enjoy the moment even though I desperately want to relax and feel good around the people I know and love.
Dealing with the duality of wanting to spend time with the people I like and wanting to be alone is such a struggle. Everyone knows I have anxiety, I'm very open about so if I'm ready to leave I just do. For me if feels like there is so much noise in my head that I start feeling panicked.