Social anxiety popped up into my life when I was around the age of 11. I don't know why, there wasn't a specific event that triggered it, I just recall so many instances of feeling panicked when it came to talking to teachers or anyone.

But social anxiety can happen at any age and to anyone.

I created this image to show what it feels like to have social anxiety. It's like all of these sentences are bouncing around in my brain all at once. It's exhausting. If this feels relatable to you, I just want you to know that you're not alone.

You're not alone if you feel self-conscious about every word and movement, or like you need to rehearse every conversation.

Is there something on this list that you struggle with more than others?

*As with everything mental health related YMMV and this is not a diagnostic tool.

The Impact of Toxic Positivity on Mental Health

Toxic positivity is a term used to describe the excessive and unhealthy focus on positive thinking and emotions, which can result in the invalidation of negative emotions and experiences. If you feel like you are suffering from toxic positivity

, it may mean that you are struggling to acknowledge or express negative emotions and that you feel pressure to always appear positive and upbeat.

Some signs that you may be experiencing toxic positivity include:

Feeling guilty or ashamed about experiencing negative emotions, such as sadness, anger, or anxiety.

Ignoring or dismissing negative emotions in yourself or others, and trying to focus only on the positive.

Feeling pressure to always be happy, upbeat, and positive, even when you don't actually feel that way.

Feeling like you can't express your true feelings to others, because they might judge you or think less of you.

If you feel like you are experiencing toxic positivity, it's important to remember that it's okay to feel and express a range of emotions, both positive and negative. It's healthy to acknowledge and work through negative emotions, rather than suppressing them or pretending they don't exist. Seeking support from a mental health professional can also be helpful in managing toxic positivity and developing healthy coping strategies.

TalktoAngel is an online counseling and therapy platform that can help individuals struggling with toxic positivity. Our licensed therapists and counselors are trained to help clients recognize and address their emotions in a healthy way, and to develop coping strategies that work for them.

To read more:-www.talktoangel.com/area-of-expertise

📢 External Validation 101 ⚠️ If you live to seek praise from others, you're handing them control over your life! 😵‍💫 This is a BIG one & especially in today's day and age. I have to check myself & catch myself slipping sometimes. Some forms of external validation are healthy. Especially when you're a child and you receive positive reinforcement from your parents. It becomes harmful when it's all you seek. ⚡ Here are some harmful examples: ➡️ You date someone based on what your family wants for you. ➡️ You pursue a career because society or your family will see you in a high regard. Not because you're passionate about it. ➡️ You overwork yourself to seek praise from your boss ➡️ You agree with everyone to be liked and considered a "good & nice" person ⭐ Ultimately, relying on external validations to define your self worth. ✅ If you resonate with this, you are not alone. Seeking praise can become a cycle easily. You may not even notice at first. Send me a DM if you'd like to start relying on yourself vs giving control to others. ----------------------------------------------------------------- #impostersyndrome #recoveringperfectionist #impostersyndromeisreal #socialanxietydisorder #socialanxietymemes #momlife #womenempowerement #bosswomenmindset #singlegirls #singlewomen #callherdaddy #selfhelpbook #selfhelpquotes #babyfoodrecipe #selfhelppodcast #confidenceiskey🔑 #confidencebuilding #selfconfidencequotes #peoplepleasers #insecurities #externalvalidation #plantlovercommunity #jayshettymeditation #brenébrown #callherdaddy #affirmationpositive #selfworthquotes (at Kitchener, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClFVV8Asj-r/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

what do you mean constant screaming isn't a healthy coping mechanism, doc? . . . . . thank you for following! i appreciate you being here - and if you're reading this, please have yourself a lovely day! 😊🌈 💛 @spicylittlebrain . . . . #actuallyautisticmemes #autismmemes #autisticmemes #adhdfunny #sociallyawkward #stayhomeclub #highanxiety #laughterishealing #laughterisgoodforthesoul #panicmemes #sociallyawkward #neurospicy #wherethetiredgirlsare #spooniememes #sensoryoverload #adhdmemes #socialanxietymemes #executivedysfunction #autielife #actuallyautistic #neurodiversity #autismcommunity #autisticpride #audhd #neurodivergent #neurodiverse #neurodivergentsquad #neurodivergentmemes #adhdhumor #adhdcommunity

[ad_1] My #boyfriend usually...? #bpdmeme #chronicillnessmemes #bipolarmemes #bipolardepression #antipsychotics #introvert #aspergers #aspie #socialanxietymemes #bipolarmeme #introvertproblems #invisibledisability #autism #autistic #anxious #shy #socialanxiety #depressionmemesarethebest #dankmemes #psychosis #introvertstruggles #psychotic #hiddendisability #antipsychotics #depressive #stress and anxiety #antidepressants #catmemes #mentalillnessmemes #chronicpain [ad_2]

#MemeMonday #Repost via @autistic_aston I think we can all relate to this, it's why finding calming sensory aids or self care habits is so important! 💗🙏🌈 ⬇️Original caption⬇️• • • • • • As an Autistic, my brain is constantly thinking and worrying! It feels impossible to make my brain stop. It's been described to me as Neurotypical brains are like sieves, they can extract information needed and discard the ones that are not useful. However Autistic people tend to not be able to do this and so everything is just as important as each other and thus results in failing to prioritise things and having low executive functioning skills. I need a neurotypical to prioritise my to-do list and to tell me which is relevant to discuss in like a therapy session for example. My brain tends to go on a tangent of randomness, which is why my writing tends to skip from one topic to another. Re reading my book, it's full of random thoughts that I am now trying to organise lol. The only thing that tends to help calm my brain down is stimming! Stimming gives me that little bit of extra control again! #autismacceptance #autismawareness #autismcommunity #mentalhealth #autismadvocate #asd #Autistic #autisticmemes #therapy #autismfamilies #autism #stimming (Additional tags: #autismmemes #adhdmemes #ocdmemes #socialanxietymemes #memesformentalhealth #mentalillnessmemes #mentalhealthmeme #actuallyautistic #anxietysucks #mentallyill #introvertmemes #anxietyissues #anxietyanddepression #generalisedanxietydisorder #anxietyproblems #anxietysucks #anxietydisorders) (at United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CGP1CkrhXNF/?igshid=1gcqg3458nd43

Dord is a non-existent word entered into the second edition of Webster's New International Dictionary by mistake in the 1934 edition. It stayed until 1939, when an editor figured out what was happening and wrote this note declaring dord to be “&! A ghost word!” A lot of people have to fail at their jobs for dord to make it in: the writer, the etymologist, the proofreader.

When our Editor In Chief, Diana, started her magazine, Dord was the perfect name. It was something that shouldn't exist but did. Dord perfectly describes our intrusive thoughts, anxieties, and fears. But in so many ways it holds room to be hopeful.

When our fears exist, even when they shouldn't. So do our hopes.

{ #introvertmemes } || source: justintrovert.things

Swipe! —> Added a lot of new ‘go away’ clothing to the introvert collection in my bio! (@introverts.clothing ) . Hoodies temporarily for just $24.99!!!!!!! . . . . #introvert #introvertmemes #introvertlife #introvertproblems #introverts #introverting #introvertedboss #introvertquotes #introverted #introvertstruggles #introvertthoughts #introvertsbelike #introvertsunite #introvertmeme #introvertcommunity #socialanxiety #anxiety #socialanxietydisorder #socialanxietymemes #socialanxietyproblems #socialanxietyquotes #awkward #antisocial #antisocialsocialclub #antisocialmemes #antisocialclub #antisocialhoodie #antisocialclothing #introvertclothing #antisocialsocialclubhoodie https://www.instagram.com/p/CEufaWaghc3/?igshid=171piovz2ri7q

he puts the horror in horoscope ♒️

✨ FOLLOW OUR NEW 1D ASTROLOGY MEME PAGE! ✨

Me 💯 #anxiety #compliments #socialanxiety #socialanxietymemes #anxietymemes #shy #antisocial #introvert #introvertproblems #introverted #awkward #sociallyawkward #selfconscious #selfconfidence #weird https://www.instagram.com/p/B5FiaAYnVDs/?igshid=jj3nibovu37c

Midday check-ins are a great tool to be more aware with ourselves, analize what it's going on and be more mindful! 😊 (🎨 by @avamariedoodles) 💛 Get FREE US SHIPPING + 10% off on 2+ shirts on our Etsy (link in bio!) CODE: POSIVIBES 🌞#mentalhealthawarenessmonth #mentalhealthawareness #anxietyquotes #anxietyrelief #socialanxiety #socialanxietydisorder #selfcare #selfcaretips #wellness #wellnessjournal #mindfulness #mindfulnessmatters #mentalhealthrecovery #mentalhealthsupport #anxietyhelp #anxietydisorder #socialanxietyproblems #socialanxietymemes #selflove #selfcarematters #wellnesscoach #wellnesswednesday #mindfullnessmeditation #mindfulnesspractice #mindfulnessmoment #mindfulnesscoach #wellnesslifestyle #wellnessblogger #selfcaresunday #selfcareroutine https://www.instagram.com/p/BxthhCqJLl5/?igshid=13o8p3a8oqk7q

[👀] Who is guilty of this? ⚠️Friday reminder before the weekend. . ➡️ This IS your sign. Don't even try! ➡️⭐ DM ME if you have to. We will take a look at your attachment style and I will you move forward and break free ➡️In your defense...Getting lost in toxic cycles isn't easy. I know... ➡️The roller coaster is addictive due to the release of certain hormones (dopamine, norepinephrine). Once the thrill passes, you crave more. However once you understand WHY you are stuck, it gets easier. 👊🏽 Break your toxic cycles. YOU KNOW they're not fulfilling. YOU KNOW you deserve better. The sooner you realize this and take action, the happier you will be. Thank me later ----------------------------------------------------------------- #impostersyndrome #recoveringperfectionist #socialanxietydisorder #socialanxietymemes #momlife #womenempowerement #singlegirls #singlewomen #callherdaddy #selfhelpbook #selfhelpquotes #toxicmasculinity #selfhelppodcast #selfsabatoge #toxicrelationship #toxicrelationshipsurvivor #breakupquote #breakupadvice #peoplepleaserproblems #relationshipgoals😍 #insecurity #fearofjudgement #fearofrejection #niceness #brenébrown #alexcooper #narcissists #breakupmotivation #nocontact #abusesurvivor (at Toronto, Ontario) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck1bdkHyaOV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

welp . . . . . thank you for following! i appreciate you being here - and if you're reading this, please have yourself a lovely day! 😊🌈 💛 @spicylittlebrain . . . . #actuallyautisticmemes #autismmemes #autisticmemes #adhdfunny #sociallyawkward #stayhomeclub #highanxiety #laughterishealing #laughterisgoodforthesoul #panicmemes #sociallyawkward #neurospicy #wherethetiredgirlsare #spooniememes #sensoryoverload #adhdmemes #socialanxietymemes #executivedysfunction #autielife #actuallyautistic #neurodiversity #autismcommunity #autisticpride #audhd #neurodivergent #neurodiverse #neurodivergentsquad #neurodivergentmemes #adhdhumor #adhdcommunity

#Anxiety has been a constant struggle for something, something that’s gotten worse with age. I can relate. #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #socialanxiety #socialanxietymemes #socialanxietydisorder #socialanxietyproblems -TJ https://www.instagram.com/p/CaJK21TrXLI/?utm_medium=tumblr