A lot of people are surprised when I tell them that social situations give me major anxiety. They assume that since I am in radio, I'm completely comfortable with being around people, getting on a stage, and talking. The truth is…..all of that causes me major stress.
The beauty of radio is you are talking but no one is in the room. No one is staring at you, checking out your outfit, or giving you facial reactions. It's like you're talking on the phone to your best friend, which makes it totally relaxing and laid back.
Doing events out in public is a totally different story. I get terrible stage fright when I have to do announcements on a stage. I really have to “amp” myself up and do some deep breathing exercises. I'm sure a lot of people get that way in that particular situation, but what about normal social gatherings? I will admit that even attending events with others makes me anxious. Crowds get me sweaty and nervous, whether it's a busy grocery store or a large party. Honestly even smaller gatherings can get me worked up.
My normal reaction is to decline invitations or only stay at get togethers for a very short time, but that's not a great way to live life. So how do you get through social anxiety? There are some great tips in this article
