Hello Posit. Welcome to the forum.

Of course a new job is scary, especially the first job. I think most everybody who has ever held a job has experienced that phenom. Welcome to the human race.

Working in your hometown is a worthy goal. Maybe this job will help you save enough money to buy that car you will need to accomplish that goal. One good side effect of having social anxiety is that I'm really good at saving money because I'm nervous about the social skills it takes to spend it.

Hi
Lots of us are anxious. Maybe you could consider this and "experiment".
If it doesn't work out you can look for something else.
I have always had a lot of anxiety, and have had many jobs, but I think that you'll get used to it.
Good Luck to You

When you embrace what scares you, it isn't scary anymore. Maybe you're just scared of failure. If you fail, so what? Pursue a plan B.

What used to help me is thinking about all the things I am going to buy with my new paycheck. I can buy what I want and I don't have to ask my parents to buy it or ask anyone at all, or explain why I need to have something.

It's okay to feel anxious about starting a new job. Think about all the fun things you can do with *your* money. The freedom you will have being out of the house. Feeling like the adult you are and not treated as a little kid by everyone anymore. Concentrate on all the positives to working.

For what it's worth, before my first job I was getting 5 dollars a week allowance from my parents. Can't buy much with 5 bucks a week. Then I started working a job full time. Was so fun. Made lots of new friends. And my first paycheck - $ 125.00 a week! That's wayyyyy more than $ 5! Now suddenly I had all this money to do whatever I wanted with it. Now that was fun!!

Good luck. You will be fine. You will like working.

This would be a good opportunity for you. Not too many people to interact with is a good place to start. You can start with casual conversation with other employees and not be overwhelmed with too many people. And there is no shame in being shy. One thing I stress the most is that nobody is better than you, and you are no better than anyone else. For me, this truth gave me the courage to begin my own journey to overcome social anxiety/shyness. We can’t all be the life of the party, it is quite ok to just be your real self, you don’t have to wow them all. Satisfy yourself with your attempts to overcome, take it slow, Rome wasn’t built in a day, so don’t expect yourself to make loads of progress in a short period of time. Give yourself time to take it all in, the new job and people, the environment, etc. Maybe try keeping a daily journal of your endeavors and successes. One last piece of advice is to smile at people, a simple smile warms peoples hearts, it’s easy to do and takes very little effort but brings big rewards. All the efforts you make will give you a lot of self confidence that I sense you lack. Best wishes and keep us posted on your journey.

Welcome to the anxiety board at DS.

You've taken the important first step in writing it out.

Keep a daily journal and also use positive words to help yourself do the best you can, focus on the tasks, and work one step at a time towards those goals that take time to work through the words, thoughts, emotions, and feelings.

You are stronger than you realize! Best wishes as you find your better balance and reach those goals!

sometimes when you start a new job - well almost all of the time - it's nervous making. But maybe if you imagine it like 'getting into a cold pool of water'...there are things you will have to get used to including coworkers...and they will get to know you as well! After a while work really gives you a big boost of confidence! Sending good vibes!!

One thing is for certain, we do not live in this world alone. Try not to always seek what is comfortable, instead accept the discomfort as just that, discomfort, do not attach more feelings to it than that. Think of yourself as someone experiencing life and not suffering through life. You cannot change the fact that you live and work with people but you can change how you act or react. I suggest do a bit of imagery/ meditation. Imagine yourself talking to someone confidently. Listen to positive affirmations on youtube. Find some you like. You are also young and I remember when I was young I would feel this way. Be gentle to yourself. There is nothing wrong with you, this shall pass and all will be well.

Hi. Im confused, why are you saying you turned 18 a week or 2 ago? Which is it?

This is life and we have to work and provide for ourselves as no one else will. Anyone on this forum in this group has had at least one job that made them anxious and working with people. Etc.

I couldnt wait to find my first job and make money. I started at $4.50 an hour. My parents said keep $20 for yourself and rest in the bank. By 18 I had almost $3k in the bank. By working part time during the school year and 28-40 hours during the summer break. I LOVED overtime, anything over 40 hours.

You need motivation to get over this. Apply for that job and do the math.

Example: $10 an hour by 40hours a week is $400. Deduct taxes and you are talking about $280 a month. $280 times 52 weeks is about $14k a year. Obviously this will change depending on hours worked. But look at all that money you can have to buy a few things and just save save save. It is a very empowering thing to go out and work and make your own money and take control over your own life. The anxiety now is taking over your life, get your life back from the anxiety :)

Well, the first job at 18 is difficult. It is difficult to find something suitable. It is challenging to start communicating with adults. I understand you perfectly. I've been through this too.
Have you thought about online work? You will work from home and not go to a neighboring city. There are a considerable number of part-time jobs on the Internet. There is not necessarily a lot of contact with people. On the website https://moneylifewax.com/best-part-time-jobs/, you can look at such vacancies.
I wish you good luck and hope you succeed.