Help avoiding friends

[cubibibibism]

hey guys. last post for now i swear.

i've been avoiding my online and irl friends these holidays. it's been 3 weeks, and i've worked up horrendous social anxiety, imagining that everyone hates me for not replying. maybe i am an asshole, but i've been so depressed that most days i sleep until 12 and don't do shit all day. happy fucking holidays amirite. i really don't want to lose my friends, but i can't bring myself to check my messages. this is such weird behaviour, i know.

any advice to finally respond and stop being so isolated?

 

[Unlucky777]

this is actually quite normal behavior, especially if you have social anxiety, trauma, depression, or are suffering from grief and loss.

i'm actually going thru this right now myself. i've been self isolating from my friends and my family for a long time and only now am starting to socialize with them. reading texts and answering them also now feels like a damn chore. it's emotionally draining. even people i'm very close with i have difficulty just responding to them (I'm very big on texting and responding and engaging in conversations) but when i am down it is very hard.

go easy on yourself. just respond to one person and tell them that you will get back to them that you are not ignoring them. this way you won't feel guilty about not responding and then when you are feeling better again, you can respond on your own time without putting the relationship/connection at risk. MOST people will understand.

As for the isolation stuff, yeah i feel you. I have been isolating also. What helps me is going for walks maybe hiking or running. Movement is key and it helps to pull yourself out of the isolation. Not sure how it all works psychologically but I know from my own experience it works for me. feel free to ask follow up questions.