Anxious tip: Just remember, if you feel like nobody cares, consider that they’re probably just trying to give you space. We often do this when someone is going through something because we don’t want to put any extra pressure on them and it’s likely your friends are doing the same for you.
If you don’t reach out to people, they aren’t going to know that you need them, and they’re probably dealing with their own lives, rather than specifically just not caring about you. I know I do this a lot myself when my anxiety gets the best of me; I isolate myself and see other people’s actions in a spiteful, negative way, when really it’s just my own head and my own insecurities. When you live in your own head it can be easy to forget that other people have their own problems and struggles, and to feel the need to make it all about you.
When I realise this and choose to reach out and make an effort to catch up with people, I feel so much better. So aim to catch yourself thinking this way and reframe your mindset to understand where your loved ones might be coming from. Ask them about their lives, or something specific you know they’re interested in. Ask them when they’re free to catch up, or if you’re really struggling, tell them and ask if you can give them a call. It’s so easy to cut yourself off from the world when you’re anxious, and assume the worst in people, especially with social media everywhere. But the reality is, a lot of what we perceive, we’ve made up in our heads to protect ourselves, or at least, that’s what our anxious brains think we are doing. It’s so easy to see yourself as a victim, rather than take charge and do something to change your circumstances.
Only you can change your mindset.
