[unplugmealready]

How do you rebuild confidence and stop being someone who avoids social contact? I have never been Brad Pitt but I have gained more weight over the last year or so sure due to an injury and change of job. I was never the centre of attention but I was sociable at one point. Now I work in an office job on nights and apart from the calls that come in I don't have anyone to talk to. Now when I am on my days off I am finding it harder to just go out to the shop or go for a coffee. I seem to talk myself out of it most days and end up wasting my free time doing literally nothing. I feel I'm becoming more of a hermit each day. I have an appointment to try change my medication as I don't think it works for me anymore but I was wondering does anyone have any tips? Anything they do to at least try to interact with other.... human beings? Thanks in advance

[CosmicRose]

Can I ask what office job lets you work night shift? That actually sounds like a dream job for me. Anyway, do things you want to do for you. Forget about everyone else. I go hang out at the coffee shop with my laptop and I can sit there for at least an hour, it makes the entire day better and makes me feel productive lol! Go to the beach, eat healthy meals, meditate. Do you have any friends that you just hang out with, or go to a restaurant with? You can even go to restaurants yourself, and just bring a book with you. Go chill out at a park or sign up for a group meditation class in town. Just look around your city for things to do.

[anxteach]

I have to agree with CosmicRose... just get out and do things that you will enjoy. Even if you have to force it at first. You'll find that once you push yourself to get out there, you'll start to feel happier, and when you're content you'll attract other people to socialize with.

[stages]

you could try picking up a new hobby, that can introduce you to a lot of people. like you might talk with someone at the store while buying yarn, or you could join a club, or take a class in it. initiating contact is the best way, but if its too hard to do often, then making yourself available is second best. so something you can do in public that people may like to comment on is good

[unplugmealready]

Thanks for your tips. I will try a few of them. I also have the doctors in 2 hours so I hope I can get some different medication too. I don't actually have any friends at the moment. The only friend I did have fell out with me about 4 months ago. But I don't feel bad about it I want to just be able to step foot out of the door and do things for myself first without talking myself out of it all the time. I would love to take up a new hobby but it would have to be flexible with my job and home life. My job sounds more fun than it is. I have a lot of pressure. I support huge companies with their IT issues and if something bad happens then I am also the incident management for it all. It's a lot of stress really and you are constantly on pins hoping that nothing like that occurs on your shift.