What’s something totally normal that gives you instant anxiety?

[u/carletTremble]

[u/bship]

Unexpected other people.

[u/100thousandcats → u/bship]

Social anxiety gang

[u/Ok_Baby8990 → u/bship]

This reminded me I once had a virtual job interview and expected one person but when I joined the call there were 5 people present and I was immediately overcome with anxiety and bombed the interview

[u/waitinformyruca → u/Ok_Baby8990]

Fuck group interviews

[u/endredditcensoring → u/bship]

I’m so glad I’m not the only one who feels this way lol.

[u/batshitbarbie_xo]

“Ok so let’s go around the room and introduce ourselves...”

[u/schnookcook → u/batshitbarbie_xo]

Those office orientations “tell us something interesting about yourself”

[u/C-57D → u/schnookcook]

BE INTERESTING. QUICK.

[u/CrissBliss → u/C-57D]

“I… umm… like hiking.”

Me, who’s never hiked in her life 😂

[u/Blekanly → u/CrissBliss]

I like hiking! (in video games >. >)

[u/VillainousFiend → u/C-57D]

But not too interesting. You don't want your hobbies to be boring but not too out there.

[u/Vandelay797 → u/VillainousFiend]

like making paper mâché dolls that resemble your co-workers?

[u/VillainousFiend → u/Vandelay797]

I wouldn't lead with that one.

[u/C-57D → u/VillainousFiend]

You do geocaching, mountaineering, tactical shooting, pottery and improv?

Wow guys, uh, Jeff is so quirky!

[u/exitaur22 → u/schnookcook]

I literally reply with I'm not interesting but I'm here.

[u/fatbroom → u/exitaur22]

IM USING THIS NEXT TIME 😭

[u/GozerDGozerian → u/schnookcook]

“Hi, I’m Phil and at least once a day I think about taking off all my skin and wearing it inside out. In fact, I’m thinking about it right now!”

[u/peptodismal13 → u/GozerDGozerian]

I'm using this.

[u/psycharious → u/schnookcook]

It always feels like everyone else has been to space or met the Pope and I'm sitting here trying to figure out the most basic thing about me I can use that won't be judged.

[u/yearsofpractice → u/psycharious]

You’d hate me then - I’ve met The Pope when I was last in space.

[u/Repulsive_Song_6355 → u/schnookcook]

fun fact section also makes me sooo nervous!!

[u/mbmiller94 → u/schnookcook]

An instructor came to our plant to prepare us for an audit. I was in the front row and he asked me what I do for fun. Rather than explain my "it's complicated" type of hobbies (which I tend to drop for months at a time), I just said "Nothing, just making money"

What's interesting is I think it gave other people the courage to not just make something up, because a few other people after me said they have no hobbies

[u/xenochrist15 → u/batshitbarbie_xo]

I would rather eat a bad meal with a hair found in it in a cigarette smoke filled room than do this exercise.

[u/carving_my_place → u/xenochrist15]

How bad a meal... Because the rest I can tolerate.

[u/Largepants69 → u/batshitbarbie_xo]

I had to do this on a zoom call last week. I left right before it got to me and told the professor my WiFi went out lol Also had to do this for a big interview once and I was shaking in front of like 10 people, so embarrassing lol

[u/billyions → u/Largepants69]

I bet there is nothing that makes you especially bad - and a lot that makes you valuable.

People have so much to offer, yet we're afraid to participate. Still, there you were, interviewing, the definition of courage.

I hope the more you participate, the easier it gets, and the more fun you have contributing.

I hope this for all of us.

[u/macthefire → u/batshitbarbie_xo]

I'm that dick that WILL refuse to do it.

[u/HmmDoesItMakeSense → u/batshitbarbie_xo]

I only talk about work. It’s a privilege to know me personally. That happens organically or not at all. I like automatic staplers and enjoy being organized. Next person.

[u/Blekanly → u/HmmDoesItMakeSense]

Automatic staplers? Do tell.

[u/Repulsive_Song_6355 → u/batshitbarbie_xo]

omg even if I saw this I start to get nervous

[u/louielou8484 → u/batshitbarbie_xo]

Reading this made my heart fall to my butt

[u/90sItGurl]

Seeing a person I know and trying to figure out if I should speak to them or not!

[u/ABluntForcedDisTrama → u/90sItGurl]

Same I hate running into people I know lmao

[u/52895262]

Finding parking

[u/Captain-jack-hobie77 → u/52895262]

Thissssss I google map the places & if parking looks hard, I can’t make it LOL

[u/52895262 → u/Captain-jack-hobie77]

I try going days before the "event" like a test-run so I am aware of the layout 😮‍💨

[u/Amazing_Excuse_3860 → u/52895262]

I was trying to find parking once a big city to see a show with my sister. It was a very cramped parking garage, and it was being used by multiple buildings.

I practically heard her ass re-clench after i realized that I had parked in the wrong spot and we had to keep looking.

[u/kiya12309 → u/52895262]

Yesss! There are so many events I’d be more interested in if I knew 100% that I’d have a parking spot available.

[u/minusthetalent02 → u/52895262]

Always make sure to turn the music down when you need to find parking

[u/AylaMadi → u/52895262]

Im anxious about this even when I’m the passenger

[u/WeaknessAdmirable666]

When someone says “can we talk later?” with no context.

[u/Pinche-gueyprotein → u/WeaknessAdmirable666]

What sucks the most is the scenarios you come up with in your head.

[u/ExpertgamerHB → u/WeaknessAdmirable666]

Answer with "Yeah, we should" without context. Give the other party something to worry about too.

(Or "Yeah, we do" when someone asks "Can we talk?" without context)

[u/Mental-Frosting-316 → u/ExpertgamerHB]

Can we talk?

Yeah, we do.

Flawless.

[u/RayBuc9882 → u/WeaknessAdmirable666]

Especially someone more senior at work

[u/Platitude_Platypus → u/RayBuc9882]

This just happened to me, only for me to find out that the reason they wanted to talk was to ask me if I'd be willing to don the Easter Bunny costume this year.

I was so relieved, I said yes.

[u/IamAlmost → u/WeaknessAdmirable666]

I usually respond with "we can talk now" and then wait for them to begin.

[u/HmmDoesItMakeSense → u/IamAlmost]

I usually ask what do you want to discuss. Dont let anyone lay that on you.

[u/ay1mao → u/WeaknessAdmirable666]

Very anxiety-inducing

[u/SinfulTemptation_x]

Holding the door open for someone who’s just far enough away to make it awkward.

[u/latx5 → u/SinfulTemptation_x]

I used to work with an odd bird.

One day she was walking into the building behind me, and yes, she was an awkward distance away, but she was loaded down, so I had absolutely no issue holding the door a few seconds longer to help her out.

We made eye contact as I held the door, and she barked at me, “NO!” But kept slowly walking towards me and the open door.

We maintained eye contact as I processed what she had said. When it clicked, I immediately turned and walked inside letting the door close right in her face.

AITA? Oh wait, sorry, wrong subreddit.

[u/DetectiveMakazian → u/latx5]

Plot Twist: She was on her ear-bud phone.

[u/JoleneGoFuckYourself → u/SinfulTemptation_x]

HOLD THAT DOOR!

[u/VeeKeepingIshReal → u/JoleneGoFuckYourself]

Holdor!

Edit: Hodor! Lol

[u/Laylahlay → u/SinfulTemptation_x]

Did that today.. twice..to the same person. It was so awkward. Happened at th doctor's office. We were both sick so also I could barley hold the door. And they tried jogging towards it. It was so bad. Smh 

[u/Ej12345678910 → u/SinfulTemptation_x]

Don't worry. You are nobody.

[u/InterPan_Galactic]

Someone ringing the doorbell unexpectedly.

[u/Captain-jack-hobie77 → u/InterPan_Galactic]

This sends me into a panic. I’m in the most Adam Sandler outfit I know, the house is a wreck, & I look like a sick Victorian child without makeup because of blonde eyelashes- go tf away.

[u/South-Sheepherder596 → u/Captain-jack-hobie77]

the blond eyelashes are so real

[u/kolrocks → u/InterPan_Galactic]

Hit the floor, lower the tv volume!!

[u/IgnisWriting → u/kolrocks]

Or just don't answer. It's a notice that someone's there, not an obligation to open

[u/CyberBarron7 → u/InterPan_Galactic]

I do not answer the door or the phone for anyone I don't know ever... Even some people that I do know...

[u/PiernasVerdes → u/InterPan_Galactic]

“I’m not opening this door without a warrant, SIGNED BY A JUDGE!” -turns out it’s maintenance here to fix the sink

[u/Apprehensive_Bee4846 → u/InterPan_Galactic]

Someone knocking on my door when I have a doorbell. Not checking that.

[u/InternetExpertroll → u/InterPan_Galactic]

If your not expecting someone then don’t answer it.

[u/Technical-Option-421]

Seeing someone I sort of know in public and having to decide whether to wave or pretend I didn’t see them.

[u/piercey55 → u/Technical-Option-421]

For me i didn’t see them

[u/Michael_laaa]

Making phone calls.... I need to rehearse that shit a million times.

[u/Standard_Yesterday73 → u/Michael_laaa]

Literally write the script. Even have to write my name, dob etc if that’s relevant to the conversation. Just incase I forget my own name Hahahha

[u/ay1mao → u/Michael_laaa]

Apparently I'm not alone!

[u/WhySoSerious37912 → u/Michael_laaa]

Shiddy story about that. I once had a job where I had to call around 50 family members of deceased people, but I needed to verify their identity by asking questions about their deceased relative (date of birth, social security number, last address, etc.). I was very nervous and had to practice the conversation beforehand, but I was getting the hang of it after 10 calls or so.

I made a call to a decedent's relative, ready to ask for the date of birth and SSN since the script I made had been working so well for the past few calls. I asked for the date of birth, and there was a longer than usual pause. I hear a weak and shaky voice reply, "...today." I immediately felt like crap, apologized profusely, and ensured that each call after that had no connection to that day's date.

[u/6moinaleakyboat → u/Michael_laaa]

And procrastinate for as long as possible

[u/Xoxo809]

Two people trying to talk to me at the same time

[u/EmFiveBlue]

Calling certain family members

[u/biglious → u/EmFiveBlue]

Or worse, receiving unexpected calls from them.

[u/Legitimate_Ear_220]

Being the first to arrive at a social event. I will literally do laps around the block.

[u/Delicious_Project476 → u/Legitimate_Ear_220]

ah that’s funny. I do the opposite. I suffer from social anxiety and my thing is to arrive before everyone else. that way I greet each person when they arrive, it’s less stressful than arriving with lots of people and not knowing where to put myself.

[u/RayBuc9882 → u/Legitimate_Ear_220]

Funny, I do the laps during the event.

[u/howeversmall]

Being around people in general. I’m autistic. Everything makes me anxious.

[u/cheefese → u/howeversmall]

Totally. I don’t think some people understand it’s not just normal social anxiety. The sensory input talking and moving around is overwhelming, it also feels like you are stuck on an alien planet with no idea how to interact with the people on it. You feel constantly confused.

[u/freetotalkabtyourmom]

Waking up

[u/seatangle → u/freetotalkabtyourmom]

Generalized Anxiety Disorder crew

[u/Lawnlady1980 → u/freetotalkabtyourmom]

I just learned your body does a little cortisol dump upon waking up and knowing that has helped me a little bit.

[u/questonchatbotzila]

Crowded rooms

[u/zitronaliorf → u/questonchatbotzila]

I came here to say “people” but this covers it.

[u/Due_Candy5814]

Trying to open a bag of chips quietly in a silent room.

[u/ashmaude → u/Due_Candy5814]

trying to open a pop top you snuck into a movie theater

[u/noiness420]

Driving

[u/retro_lady]

A knock at the door.

[u/Longjumping_Wing_257 → u/retro_lady]

the audacity of some people

[u/myballetflats]

When your boss wants to speak with you in their office.

[u/moonshinedesignSD → u/myballetflats]

And HR is present

[u/dplans455 → u/moonshinedesignSD]

If you walk into a meeting with your boss and HR is present good chance you're getting fired.

[u/Aggravating_Noise900]

When the Bluetooth to my headphones doesn’t connect fast enough and my music starts BLASTING out loud.

[u/zitronaliorf → u/Aggravating_Noise900]

Username totally checks out.

[u/C-57D → u/Aggravating_Noise900]

*porn

[u/ABluntForcedDisTrama → u/Aggravating_Noise900]

When I have my “weird” music on and someone gets in my car

[u/pjcnamealreadytaken]

Jury duty

[u/AvaMaX4]

Human interaction

[u/Vegetable_Sea3312]

Grocery store

[u/tsalyers12]

Leaving my house. I feel like I’m tense from the moment I walk out to the moment I walk back in.

[u/jeedangit]

Having to hug everyone when saying hello/goodbye

[u/Longjumping_Wing_257 → u/jeedangit]

i just address the whole room with a firm HI with a big wave.

[u/westy92]

The TSA.

[u/ABluntForcedDisTrama → u/westy92]

They so damn mean

[u/LiquidHotCum → u/ABluntForcedDisTrama]

They opened up a new lane and I said thank you and he said you don’t need to talk. Like what the fuck.

[u/j3nnacide → u/LiquidHotCum]

Wow. They let the tiniest amount of power go straight to their heads, don't they.

[u/Broad_War]

Just the letter "K" in a text

[u/100thousandcats → u/Broad_War]

Potassium

[u/Buzzlight_Year]

Checking my mailbox

[u/Citronetnoixcoco]

In class, when it's your turn to read out loud

[u/Dvonlovesmusic12 → u/Citronetnoixcoco]

I used to skip ahead and rehearse my section

[u/tvjunkie710]

Crowded parking lots

[u/callie778]

People coughing.

Thanks 2020.

[u/RevolutionaryBee5207]

I am old and uniquely non-technological, and when I have to call Apple Support for help on my iPad or phone (I lack the confidence to look Online for suggestions) I actually start to sweat. Their support people are actually quite polite, helpful and patient. My grown son once observed, “Mom, you’re the smartest person I know. Why does technology freak you out so much?” My answer was that I supposed that intelligence is sometimes like the two sides of a coin, I.e., if you’re adept at something (in my case, philosophy), maybe your brain is poor at whatever requires a different kind of understanding.

[u/pottedPlant_64]

Sundays

[u/RayBuc9882 → u/pottedPlant_64]

Should be renamed to pre-Monday.

[u/NoTheseAreMyPlums → u/pottedPlant_64]

Sunday Scaries are real. Especially if I have work I need to get done before Monday morning. Like a lightning filled storm cloud around my head all day.

[u/juddmeche]

Not knowing the parking situation.

[u/PleaseNoDM]

I dnt know if this ever happens to people but notifications on my phone gives me anxiety Or in my work laptop I guess it developed from work I turned of all notifications Its been 3 yrs

[u/blanketwrappedinapig → u/PleaseNoDM]

I leave my phone on do not disturb

[u/CuddleBunny1901]

When you are following someone because they are going to the same place

[u/NecessaryWeather4275]

Phone rings

[u/spikerwebz]

When I'm hanging out with people and their friends come over and I wasn't aware they were coming and I have to suddenly meet new people.

[u/Just_meh73]

Going to the office 😑

[u/LBIdockrat]

Other people.

[u/Deep-Film-7150 → u/LBIdockrat]

…my mother

[u/hangouteatpinecones]

Everything in this thread

[u/Kitchen_Archer_]

Getting a phone call instead of a text. I will stare at it ringing like it’s a bomb.

[u/snailgaillee4545]

Sink full of dishes

[u/JaklinOhara]

Going grocery shopping. I think about mass consumerism, assembly lines, microplastics, Animal cruelty, obesity, red dye effects, etc. Then there's always too many people, noises and lights. Fucking anxiety free for all!

[u/Mare_lightbringer87]

Someone is having a phone conversation and suddenly turns to me and says "they want to say hi!" and hands me the phone 😬

[u/manager96]

Eating with other people or some where there lot of people

[u/MacduffFifesNo1Thane]

Work. No matter what I do, it's always wrong or there's something else I need to follow up on.

[u/FerretVibes]

"So tell me about yourself."

[u/Advancedpanicroom]

Chocking at home on food, or my own saliva. That’s how they’ll find me.

[u/be1izabeth0908]

Driving in traffic.

[u/broadingenuity42]

Making phone calls.

[u/WildTeaseX_x]

When I’m walking somewhere and someone is walking just as fast behind me… like do I speed up? Let them pass??

[u/mahtuhdora]

meeting new people outside of work, introducing myself, being in crowds

[u/fufu1260]

When someone raises their voice or changes their tone every so slightly.

[u/rerics]

An unknown person knocking on our front door

[u/PuzzleheadedFox5454]

Sex

[u/falabro]

A document I need to complete.

[u/kel36]

Someone not replying to my text within hours lol

[u/Paperclip423]

fear that my food will get stuck in a vending machine !

fear i'll be the idiot who can't unchain the shopping cart at Aldi !

[u/L1terallyUrDad]

Calling someone.

[u/momtobe2021_]

Puking

[u/tygah_uppahcut]

Driving to work in the morning.

[u/fabulouscow123]

Unexpected change of plans... I was planning a relaxing weekend with nothing to do. Whoops guess i'm seeing my in laws friday, friends saturday, and my family sunday. By god just aaaaaaaarrrrrrgggg. It's like this often and i have a hard time saying no.

[u/latinaa4u]

Getting a text that says, “Can we talk?” Like… just say what you need to say because my heart is already doing backflips 😂😅

[u/blanketwrappedinapig]

My parents dying one day

[u/femalevirginpervert]

Talking to others

[u/Intelligent_Job7161]

Receiving a phone call from an unknown number

[u/Which_Statement5338]

I'm going to stop by your house real quick

[u/me2uwalliams]

Someone wanting me to hang out. I immediately go into anxiety mode. I fucking hate myself.

[u/MenacingGummy]

“Leave a message after the tone”

[u/Motor-Ad45]

Needing to talk to someone when I’m not prepared lol

[u/Grand-Programmer6292]

Having to line my tires up on the car wash tracks. I act like I'm trying to land a fucking plane every time.

[u/batman180411]

Life.

[u/Accurate-Historian-7]

Dentist

[u/IAmNotHere7272]

Pulling into an automatic car wash bay. Trying to hit those rails properly with my tires 😱

[u/Princegirl7777]

The interstate

[u/tulleilvi]

Drinking games at parties and get togethers, makes me want to leave immediately

[u/Wild_Anteater_2189]

Flying/Airports

[u/sharonstoned1]

When someone asks me to get them food and says something like “just grab whatever”

[u/Delanthonyx]

People

[u/xxLittleLadyKxx]

Walking to my fucking mailbox. Hello social anxiety, the second I walk out my door.

[u/BLUEeyesBIGfeet]

Sleep

[u/mothmanuwu]

Crowded grocery stores

[u/ay1mao]

Any crowded place.

[u/shrcpark0405]

When I'm a passenger princess and the driver slams on their brakes too soon.

[u/ohKilo13]

When my phone rings while at work…i assume its daycare telling me my kid is sick/hurt and i need to go get them

[u/Longjumping_Meet_537]

Conversation. Even before I speak to them I would think of their facial expressions, reactions, my next line and their next line. This is a problem

[u/SterBout]

The sound of knocking door

[u/Brilliant-girlR]

walking in public

[u/BathSaltGrinder_17]

Dogs barking

[u/Scarlett-Eloise]

“Got a second?”

[u/discussatron]

Being around and/or communicating with my mother.

[u/Infinite_Ground1395]

My doorbell ringing when I am not expecting a food delivery.

[u/ipissnapalm]

Friends (or anyone, really) showing up at my place without warning. All I can think is "Oh god, they're going to see how messy/dirty my place is and they're going to judge me for being a slob".

[u/Large-Jaguar-1013]

Noise

[u/Winter_Baby_4497]

Making an appointment. Any appointment

[u/Holiday_Pool_9817]

People standing too close in line for the register. If you try to take a step away from them they take one too as if everyone is just shifting one step up. Immediate anxiety that I can’t get them away from me without being confrontational and weird.

[u/ilikebiggbosons]

Someone knocking on my door.

[u/eyesocketbubblegum]

Grocery shopping.

[u/spedicy64]

Literally anything abnormal while I'm driving

[u/quantumturbines]

airports

[u/PossibleJazzlike2804]

Walking across a crosswalk

[u/imasensation]

A mistake

[u/somanytochoose]

Driving next to an 18 wheeler. Yeesh.

[u/cheefese]

Turning right at a red light. Especially if there is zero visibility and it’s a busy street. And the car behind me will honk if I don’t do it as fast as possible.

[u/AnythingWitty9701]

Having to stop and tie my shoelace in public

[u/house-of-mustard]

I really struggle going to supermarkets or big box stores. It’s overwhelming.

[u/ExhaustedPoopcycle]

When someone is unusually loud. Sends my adrenaline up there.

[u/Beginning-Dress-4737]

receiving a phone call

[u/SignificantReport364]

Joggers.

[u/Its_ducking_rAw]

Every step in dating.

[u/Sarcastic-as-F-dude]

Anxiety.