u/AllareOne1113

I recently moved back to Atlanta (born and raised here) and live in Edgewood now. I won’t have a car for another month or so. What’s the best Chinese food around this area that’s on delivery apps? TIA!

I’m looking for advice from people who deal with social anxiety and still manage to keep their friendships strong.

For background, I didn’t have social anxiety 10 years ago. Back then, when I was functioning normally in daily social life, I built friendships that have lasted over the years, even through my later struggles with anxiety.

But for the past 3 years, because of personal turmoil I went through (including divorcing an abusive marriage), I became isolated from friends while living with family in a different city that wasn’t my hometown.

Now my social anxiety feels like it’s in full-throttle mode, and I’m moving back to my hometown soon. I’m honestly scared of how to maintain these friendships that I worked so hard to cultivate over the years.

As a disclaimer, I have 4 friends in that city that I truly consider family. I lost both of my parents 8 days apart from each other a few years ago, and these friendships have been there for me through thick and thin. They came to the funerals, invited me into their homes, included me in family events, etc. That’s why this means so much to me.

Should I have a conversation with my closest friends about my recently developed social anxiety? Over the last 3 years it has gotten significantly worse. Phone calls aren’t as terrible because if things get awkward, I can usually make up an excuse to hang up. But in-person hangouts feel much scarier. For ex: I blank during conversations (even on the phone, yes). I can’t carry a conversation to save my life.. I constantly think: “What do I say next?” “How do I bring up a topic?” “Am I coming across as boring?”

I don’t know how to deal with moving back home and reconnecting while feeling like this. I’m scared I’ll lose the only remaining “family” I have by becoming reclusive.

Do I just have a conversation with them on what’s been going on? Or does that make it more awkward? If anyone has advice on maintaining friendships while dealing with social anxiety, especially long-term friendships where people matter deeply to you, I’d really appreciate it.