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Social anxiety is one of the most widespread fears that usually starts during teenage years. And while many occasionally worry about social situations, someone with social anxiety feels overly worried before, during and after them. It affects their everyday activities, self-confidence, relationships and work or school life, so you can imagine what a heavy burden it may be.

But whoever is looking for a support group online, the ‘Social Anxiety’ corner of Reddit is a safe space to talk about hard things. With 309k members and counting, the subreddit has people sharing painfully funny memes on how it feels to live with this anxiety.

“Whether it's approaching someone you're attracted to or if it's giving a presentation in class, everyone gets a little nervous at times. You may have social anxiety, however, if you feel like throughout your day you're bombarded by anxious thoughts/feelings during social situations that otherwise seem so effortless for most people,” states the subreddit’s description.

“Welcome to the club,” it adds, showing that you won’t feel left out and a bunch of people here do know how you feel. So why don't you all just laugh at it?

#1

I Genuinely Love This Subreddit

I Genuinely Love This Subreddit

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Sheila Stamey
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unless you are tormented by anxiety you don't know what a gift was given. God bless whoever did this!

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#2

I Hate When This Happens

I Hate When This Happens

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It’s important to understand that social anxiety is more than being shy. Although many people occasionally feel anxious in social situations, those with social anxiety have the fear interfering in their daily lives.

NHS.uk states that you may have social anxiety if you have any of these symptoms: worry about everyday activities, such as meeting strangers, starting conversations, speaking on the phone, working or shopping; avoid or worry a lot about social activities, such as group conversations, eating with company and parties; always worry about doing something you think is embarrassing, such as blushing, sweating or appearing incompetent; find it difficult to do things when others are watching—you may feel like you're being watched and judged all the time; fear being criticized, avoid eye contact or have low self-esteem; often have symptoms like feeling sick, sweating, trembling or a pounding heartbeat (palpitations); have panic attacks, where you have an overwhelming sense of fear and anxiety, usually only for a few minutes.

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#5

True

True

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Vicky Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And in the end you don't watch Netflix because you keep thinking all these!

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Social anxiety may be especially daunting when things go against the plan and this, as we all know, happens much more often than we’d like. It’s really hard to keep yourself in control for those who don’t have it, but for people with social anxiety it may seem like mission impossible.

The good news is that there are some cognitive emotional skills that anyone can learn to get through those stressful situations better. Improving such skills has to be made a priority by those with social anxiety, and many other mental health issues like depression, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, etc.

#7

It's Like I Forget I Have Sa For A Second

It's Like I Forget I Have Sa For A Second

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Vicky Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I also have the best advices for other people problems .... not for mine of course! Shouldn't that be some kind of a super power?

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#8

"Don't Dwell On Things" They Tell Me... Meanwhile

"Don't Dwell On Things" They Tell Me... Meanwhile

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#9

Here’s Some Abuse

Here’s Some Abuse

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Vicky Z
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*currently reading bored panda, listening to 90's pop music, not planning to speak to anyone and imagining myself going out in the evening*

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Bored Panda reached out to Alice Boyes, a former clinical psychologist turned writer and the author of “The Healthy Mind Toolkit” and “The Anxiety Toolkit” to find out more about controlling our frustration when things go against the plan. Alice said that in practical terms, “the more buffer you have in your life, the easier it is to handle stress. Therefore practical solutions like creating an emergency fund can help.”

#10

*Checks Excuse Book*

*Checks Excuse Book*

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Vicky Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While wishing desperately someone will cancel or a tornado will hit the city and you won't have to go with these plans

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Having said that, she suggests that if your life isn’t overscheduled and you have more flexibility, then it’s best “to give yourself time and nurturing to recover from knocks. ”Psychologically, it’s always best to remind yourself to take stressful situations one step at a time. “Like, if your car breaks down on the highway, all you need to do first is get out of traffic. Don't get ahead of yourself mentally,” Alice explained.

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#13

Never Were Truer Words Spoken.

Never Were Truer Words Spoken.

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Another way to handle stress is giving yourself some sources of pleasure, like exercise, or podcasts you like. “Things you look forward to, that you can still do even when you're experiencing stress,” the former psychologist explained. In the end, it’s always helpful to remind yourself that stressful events happen to everyone. “They're part of life, but we don't necessarily know what's going on behind the scenes for other people,” Alice concluded.

#17

Always The Outcast Of Every Group

Always The Outcast Of Every Group

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#20

Getting A Call From A Unknown Caller

Getting A Call From A Unknown Caller

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#21

Teachers : *surprised Pikachu*

Teachers : *surprised Pikachu*

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Ryan Deschanel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What ? Being an insensitive bully who uses their tyranical power to publicly humiliate a child does not help them ? How surprising ! /s

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#23

I Have Stitched No Truer Words

I Have Stitched No Truer Words

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Brendan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes, I feel like a meeting one-on-one is harder because the onus is on you to make a 50% contribution to the conversation.

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#25

Thanks Brain, Very Cool

Thanks Brain, Very Cool

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Demi Zwaan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm still thinking about that time I was 8 (almost 40 years ago) and it was my birthday. I got a toy from my parents and was so happy with it, I ran to my aunt when she came in to show it to her and she had bought the exact same present. I still feel bad about it and I know it's stupid, my brain says it's stupid, I have a million reasons of why it is stupid, but I still feel bad. I hate emotions.

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#26

Anyone Else?

Anyone Else?

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Sheila Stamey
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup.right in the eye every time. And you just feel like yelling " I could do it until you got here, doggone it!" My especial special hate; when I'm painting. I paint for me. If you say it's pretty, usually, I love you so much I will give it to,which I'm told is a pretty cool thing. But, don't walk up and say,after watching and umming for a few seconds, " you need to do..." Whatever. I will smack you with a full pallette in my dreams.

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#27

Every Time

Every Time

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#29

Anyone Else?

Anyone Else?

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Vicky Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes this is why i make plans when I'm in a good mood! To force myself to go out! But I regret it most of the times

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#32

Here We Go Again

Here We Go Again

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Birgit M
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is absolutely me. When I find myself not worrying I start to worry about not being worried.

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#35

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Daniel Marsh
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why I had such a hard time accepting a diagnosis of depression: I actually WAS happy in bed. Sorta.

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#39

Show Me A Better Duo, I’ll Wait!

Show Me A Better Duo, I’ll Wait!

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Daria Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It actually helps me to know most people probably think about their own failures all the time instead of mine :D

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#40

A Little Hyperbole To Remind You You're Not Alone

A Little Hyperbole To Remind You You're Not Alone

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Ryan Deschanel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Meanwhile, the people who you think laughed at you (they probably did not) have already forgotten.

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#41

Make That 6 Weeks

Make That 6 Weeks

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NsG
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is fine. This is less about social anxiety and more about the energy that is needed to be "on" around people. Three weeks might be a little long, but taking quiet time to recharge is perfectly normal. It can be normal for introverts AND extroverts.

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#43

Me Today

Me Today

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Ryan Deschanel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Can't we, like, have them all killed ? -No, ma'am. -Why not ? -Magna Carta. -Oh... Right... F**k that thing."

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#44

College Parties

College Parties

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#45

Yes

Yes

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Julie C Rose
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My parents actively taught me how to speak up about stuff like this because they knew I was really shy (they don’t know it’s clinical social anxiety) and didn’t want me to be unable to advocate for myself. I’ve gotten money back from a hotel that tried to rip me off.

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#46

You Are Not Supposed To Call!

You Are Not Supposed To Call!

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iBlank
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

mobile phones are the worst! We take them everywhere we go and they can ring at any moment! No wonder we're all losing our minds... constantly dreading the next call

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#47

Never Related To Something More

Never Related To Something More

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#50

I Feel That

I Feel That

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#51

Can Anyone Else Relate?

Can Anyone Else Relate?

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#53

Me

Me

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#54

Either Too Shy Or Annoying

Either Too Shy Or Annoying

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NsG
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Annoying by whose metrics? Are you still overthinking the responses you are getting from the people you are newly interacting with and projecting annoyance that isn't there? Social skills are *skills*. You *learn* them, you *practice* them, and you get better at them. And, yes, you make mistakes along the way. Unless the people you are interacting with are obnoxious and rude bullies (stop interacting with them!) nearly everyone will help you get better because we all went through the learning process. No one was born with perfect social skills.

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#58

Big Facts

Big Facts

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#59

I Live In A Dorm There's Literally 20 Rooms In A Single Straight Hallway

I Live In A Dorm There's Literally 20 Rooms In A Single Straight Hallway

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#62

* Proceeds To Type Out A Post For 45 Minutes And Then Deletes It Right Before Posting *

* Proceeds To Type Out A Post For 45 Minutes And Then Deletes It Right Before Posting *

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#63

I Don’t Know If This Has Been Posted Here Before But I Laughed

I Don’t Know If This Has Been Posted Here Before But I Laughed

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#64

Tbh

Tbh

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Luther von Wolfen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually asked a prof for help once and he was totally useless and then said "Does that help?" and I said "Yes." because I just wanted to leave. Then I figured it out on my own.

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#65

That Be Me

That Be Me

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Miss Frankfurter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've actually gotten better about that. Now I say "Im sorry, but excuse me".🇨🇦

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#67

Hope It Works...

Hope It Works...

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#68

Haha Relatable, Now Cry

Haha Relatable, Now Cry

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Ryan Deschanel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"It is a technically true answer, but it is not precisely the one I was looking for, so no."

#69

This One Hit Me Hard

This One Hit Me Hard

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#70

That Thing Hurted

That Thing Hurted

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Muff_Fluff
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For all of those people hating on Ryan, I must agree. At school, there is only lunchtime when the teachers allow you to talk, and then you’re trying to eat super quick because of the ridiculously short time they give you to eat. It’s like they don’t want you to have friends.

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#71

Always Embarrassing Myself

Always Embarrassing Myself

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NsG
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But it is still conveying the same message. It might not be as elegant as practised, but (in this case) it still resembles a cat. The colouring is right. If it looked like a green frog, it's more of a concern, but this is still a cat.

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#72

This Hits Real Close To Home

This Hits Real Close To Home

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#74

Can We Text Instead

Can We Text Instead

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#75

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Ginny Weasly
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had to walk into chapel late once because of a music lesson. By far the most awkward thing ever.

#76

Heck

Heck

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Kimberly Young
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was both. I went first so that I could turn my anxiety off as soon as possible.

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#77

Me Coming Home After Socializing, Thinking About How Awkward And Cringy I Was

Me Coming Home After Socializing, Thinking About How Awkward And Cringy I Was

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#78

I Wouldn’t Want To Bother Anyone

I Wouldn’t Want To Bother Anyone

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Sue Hazlewood
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one I'm mostly okay with. My meals are so often wrong or late I have learned to stand up on this.

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#79

Yes.

Yes.

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#83

I Should've Stayed Home

I Should've Stayed Home

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Guacamole Boy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This just happened last thursday. I was tempted to go out for the first time since the pandemic started. I did go out, I met at the place with a few people I hadn't seen in a while. Then more and more people started showing up. Next thing I know I don´t know who to speak to, realized I had made a mistake in going out and simply told myself not to do an effort to mingle since we are still in the pandemic and just go home to be safe from the virus but mainly to be safe of awkwardly trying to mingle with people.

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#84

Accurate

Accurate

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#85

What's It Gonna Be Today Folks

What's It Gonna Be Today Folks

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Ryan Deschanel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The panic attack looks bigger and had bigger fists. Choose the depression.

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#86

Me Too Man, Me Too

Me Too Man, Me Too

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Ryan Deschanel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, it is more like "Is this a mean-spirited humiliating set-up for an oncoming prank?"

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#87

Fair

Fair

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#88

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Daniel (ShadowDrakken)
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Teladoc has been so great for this. Can get appointments the same week, often even the same day!

#89

Didn't See That Coming As A Kid

Didn't See That Coming As A Kid

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#90

Can’t I Just Take A Magic Healing Pill

Can’t I Just Take A Magic Healing Pill

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Julie C Rose
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can build up to it. Before Jacinda gave me a lockdown for my birthday (she also covid-blocked Valentines Day lol), I was volunteering to plant trees every couple of weeks. You’re mostly working on your own but you have a small amount of interaction with people, and the more times you go, the more familiar the others get. Same with a lot of types of volunteering, probably. Also, therapists and good online resources teach you how to address the underlying thought processes. New Zealand has been advertising a good free resource at the moment: https://www.justathought.co.nz/

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#91

Thats Me

Thats Me

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Brendan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There was one time when our lecturer asked a question to the class, and I (somehow) plucked up the courage to answer out loud. Then he told me I was wrong, and I still think about it.

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#92

Me Irl Whenever I See Anyone

Me Irl Whenever I See Anyone

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#93

Dammit, Scroll Of Truth

Dammit, Scroll Of Truth

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NsG
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That doesn't mean leaping five kilometers out of your comfort zone on the first attempt. Five cm is a good start though. The mistake a lot of people make when they're told to leave their comfort zone is like thinking "Couch to 5k" is literal - you get off your couch and you run 5km. No. It's a gradual process, and yes, step one is getting off the couch, and that's often the hardest part, but you can always sit back down again and do it again tomorrow. And if it takes you a week to get to step two (walk for a minute) and another week to get to step three (walk for a minute, jog for a minute), so be it. The couch is still there, but at the risk of mangling the metaphor, eventually it's a 5km couch you can jog around.

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#94

Why Am I Like This

Why Am I Like This

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I I
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

tried it , got a lot of STFU DUDE IM TRYING TO PLAY ,............ so you ware a headset with a mic and you scream at me too STFU ?? seems smart , pay £100 for a headset to TALK AND LISTEN to others just to scream STFU DUDE............

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#95

This Is Too Real

This Is Too Real

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NsG
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You've mislabelled them as "friends" if you think those are the only two choices for the people you hang out with. Where's the hidden third button?

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