My social anxiety was bad for years. I could not leave the house, and could barely drive myself anywhere. I only went shopping very late in the day, as much as possible. It's so hard to believe this could happen to me---driving used to be a joy before I was ill, and going to new places was a much-anticipated adventure.

A CBT course (it was a group course, run by our local MH initiative) taught me an awful lot about battling and conquering negative thought processes. I am always glad I took that course. I still utilize the techniques it taught me. It started right away to give me back some feeling of control, and a more normal perspective on just about everything. I believe it helped the most with my social anxiety.

Now, I'm just like everyone else---I WANT to start getting out & about again after Covid has mostly wrapped-up---but I don't hear a lot of assurances coming from the Science People about it. (I am all vaxxed and boosted, but I'm over 60, and a respiratory disease of that magnitude could kill me.) So, I'm hesitant.

I figure, I've gotten through the last 15 years without going here, there, and everywhere---I can wait one more year before I arrange a world tour!