Welcome! Straight to the point here. What you are experiencing is normal for anxiety. I have felt the same way you described. Here is what I know to be true, that nobody is better than me, nor am I better than anyone else. People all put their pants on one leg at a time. Everyone suffers from self doubt at times, we who suffer anxiety a bit more. You seem to know yourself, describing the self doubt. Knowing is part of the solution. Now you can work on yourself. People are social by nature. We all want to reach out to others for a connection. The more you keep reaching out, the more relaxed and confident you will become. Keep these things in mind, you don’t have to be the life of the party, you don’t have to make a huge impact, not everyone will be willing to connect. You can be just yourself, take it slow, don’t push yourself or set expectations. Maybe take some time to observe others interacting without being involved. Give yourself time and start out small, like maybe saying hi to a specific person you would like to know better, work your way up from there. Learn. Observe. Trust yourself. If you get tongue tied or embarrassed, so what? Everybody has been in that position at one time or another. Learn to laugh at yourself, become willing to try different approaches. Just don’t push yourself or over expect, be satisfied with little accomplishments, be kind to yourself.

Good advice from mtd. And just remember you will come across people that are rude or hurtful sometimes. It’s something wrong with them not you, so try to shrug it off.

I read somewhere once that if you start off your day talking as soon as you get up or as soon as you are out of the house, rest of the day it gets easier, more relaxed. I find that to be true.
Don't know if you're living on your own or not, or if you're working, but try it when you wake up or during your daily going to work routine.

Hello Oneday. Welcome to DS. The value of forums such as this one where I feel safe to vent and sort freely is tremendous in my own anxiety management. Quite often, in the process of venting and sorting, I discover that I knew the answer all along. I just needed to clear my neural net far enough to find it.

Personally, I let it be okay that my social anxiety kicks in at just about any social encounter. Interacting with a convenience store clerk is enough to tie me in knots. The more calmly I accept that as, "The Nature of the Beast," the easier it is for me to find and ply the needed therapy tool instead of launching into a panic attack. My own social anxiety seems to need a different tool for every flare-up. Why do people have to be so complicated?

But that is me and every case is unique. . .

Gentle support while you sort your own case, Oneday. Welcome to the forum.

Welcome to DS. So glad you reach out here. This is a safe place to share. I have found social anxiety has a lot to do with our self-esteem. Something in our past has caused us to know appreciate who we are and that affects how we interact with others. I have found positive self-talk has helped me learn to be aware of myself, my needs, learn to appreciate and love myself.

Here are a few techniques that have worked for me.

1) Accepting that healing comes from the inside out. It starts with letting go of the things of the past, forgiving and changing our focus and behavior. Becoming aware of what you need through self-care and personal nourishment. Take time for yourself - you are worth it. Like taking walks, baths, massages, mani/pedi/, listening to uplifting music/sermons and anything that makes you feel refreshed and renewed.

2) The 557 breathing technique is take 5 deep breaths in while thinking good thoughts about yourself like I matter, I am special, I am strong and then hold the breaths for the count of 7 focusing on those words about yourself, then let out the breath slowly for 5 seconds letting go of any anxious, self-defeating, unhealthy thoughts. I do this one to three times a sitting.

3)The gratitude journal is writing down something good every morning and night that I appreciate about myself. Taking our focus off of the anxiety and depression and focusing on positive uplifting things really helps. What you think is what you believe. So thinking uplifting things you believe those things but the reverse is true - thinking negative self-defeating things, you will believe those.

4) Emotional Freedom Tapping - Look up the actual pressure points that you use, but you tap on those points while you repeat positive uplifting things to yourself.

I will be praying for you. Feel free to pm me if you'd like to chat. Hugs and God Bless

Thanks for all the great responses everyone!
Some really great and valid points. I also "discover I knew the answer all along" when venting, definitely agree there arfie. Caring2018, thank you for the offer, really appreciate positive support like this. mtd, great point that we are all the same, no one better or worse. Part of this social anxiety is always comparing myself to others, therefore I feel more comfortable talking to people that I see are "at or below" my "level", which is a messed up way of looking at life. This is something I'm working on. For the time, I'll definitely continue with the positive self talk and upped confidence, and lower these expectations I have where I feel the need to make connections on a daily basis. If it happens, then great, if not, no biggie.