Hello

[mr_positive]

Hey I am a 28 year old male. I was formally diagnose with social anxiety at 20, but was shy for a long time before that. I have been taking medication since I was 22 years old and have made a lot of progress since then. I have a full time job and am much more social than I used to be.

There are still a number of things I would like to improve though including: being able to form closer friendships, being in a relationship with a female and developing some more social hobbies.

[CMF]

Hi mr positive and welcome,

Great name for the forums, I like it!

Well done on the progress you've made, it's quite inspiring so thank you for sharing it. Have you heard of meetup? It's a website where you can join social groups depending what your interested in. Could be a great way to meet like minded people to develop friendships, you may even meet a girl. It's always easier I think when you have things in common.

What hobbies do you enjoy?

cmf

[geoff]

hello mr_positive, welcome and thanks for posting your comment.
Your confidence and personal improvement has begun the journey of getting better, it has to start slowly and when this does happen, then every step of the way there is always something new that you learn, because before, you either didn't know or didn't have the energy or inset to continue, so the same will happen when you meet a girl you really like.
There will be 'hit and misses' as they say, along the way, but don't let this influence the goal you are trying to reach for. Geoff.

[mr_positive]

Thanks for the Welcome!

CMF, yes I have heard of Meetup but haven't actually attended anything from that yet. I have been pushing myself to try out activities I have always wanted to learn about or get better at. I joined Toastmaster's last year after three attempts over the last few years this time it finally stuck and am up to speech 4. For my last holiday I took some group surf lessons, although I wouldn't call what I was doing surfing yet by the end I felt much more comfortable there and can now go by myself if I wanted. Since my surf lessons I am hoping to try going by myself and renting a board and try out a few other group lessons in things as well.

Geoff, thanks for your motivational words. I agree it is slow and frustrating I find I tend to move two steps forward, then something will happen and I'll go one step back. So I guess I'll see how my latest push forward goes.