[Hoasis]

Hi everyone! I havent been on this forum for quite some time, but a little bit about me: 33 years old, apparantly without a job, no friends, no good connection with my family and really staying by myself 24/7. I am now litterally seeing my life being wasted inside these 4 walls and trying to figure out things I can do even without friends. I have been to the cinema, hockey game, going out for a beer or two (generally doing things where I dont have to connect to other people in any specific way). There are ton of things I would love to do but dont dare because of my avpd, like scuba diving, travelling to certain areas, sports etc. I was wonderring if people in here could make a list of things they do that helps getting yourself out of your doorstep and actually doing something fun, exciting, interesting etc. Maybe we could have a lot of tips to help eachother out.

I can start with what I have been doing lately:

- going out for beer (sometimes getting drunk and dancing on discos)
- Cinema
- sportsevents
- being a tourist in my own town
- (was also thinking about some voluntery work but I guess I have to be around people for a long time here lol)

(sorry if there is a thread on this before, I havent read through enough here, just wanted to come back here and connect again with my "family")

[Skeezyks]

Hello Hoasis: Well... the Skeezyks is a solitary old troll. So I don't go out much & have little desire to do so. I have a dog I walk every day. It's a pretty solitary event. But I do encounter a few other dog walkers. And some of them I've crossed paths with enough with that they will stop & chat briefly on occasion while the two dogs sniff each other out. Occasionally I'll go to a bookstore in our area that carries overstock & used books & music or a restaurant where one orders at a counter (not one where diners are waited on) That's about the extent of the Skeezyks' social outings, I'm afraid.

[leejosepho]

Originally Posted by Hoasis

I was wondering if people in here could make a list of things they do that helps getting yourself out of your doorstep and actually doing something fun, exciting, interesting etc...

As a veteran, I used to take photos of veterans' gravesites for online memorials, but some folks might find that a bit morbid or whatever.

[Hoasis]

Originally Posted by Skeezyks

Hello Hoasis: Well... the Skeezyks is a solitary old troll. So I don't go out much & have little desire to do so. I have a dog I walk every day. It's a pretty solitary event. But I do encounter a few other dog walkers. And some of them I've crossed paths with enough with that they will stop & chat briefly on occasion while the two dogs sniff each other out. Occasionally I'll go to a bookstore in our area that carries overstock & used books & music or a restaurant where one orders at a counter (not one where diners are waited on) That's about the extent of the Skeezyks' social outings, I'm afraid.

Hey Skeezy so do I understand it correctly that you are comfortable being alone and staying inside much of the time? Dogs are a fantastic way of meeting other people and is really something I have considered, but at the end I am too much of an animal lover to have a dog living alone with me, I am sure it would pretty soon become depressed!

Another thing I forgot to mention is amusement parks. I am flying over to USA in may spending 4 days in cedar point. These parks are fantastic as the adrenalin rush makes me forget about anxiety and I can talk easier with people.

It is just frustrating to be at 33, wanting to be social and live life but really "cant" because of this f...... disorder, but hey, we gotta try to make the best of it!

[AzulOscuro]

Pretty much like Skeezyks. I don't feel these urges for socializing as I used to feel.
My partner and my two doggies are my main support for going out and becoming a little more social. Then, I have a very good friend I sometimes go out with.

I want to congratulate you for the steps you are giving. The true is that you are being very brave.

Don't worry about the doggie's thing. I also was very worried when my first doggie came home. Will I be able to look after her properly? Is she gonna be comfortable with me?. Nothing to worry about it. Never met creatures more grateful than them.

[kecanoe]

Dogs love to be with their person. They don't care if their person is depressed, avoidant, anxious, whatever. If you are able to care for a dog, definitely consider getting one. If you go to an animal shelter, you might save a life. And that is definitely worth doing.