What do you do with your life besides work or school? (social anxiety/psychedelics)

When I was 18, I did way too many psychedelics irresponsibly and I became traumatized. I feel like I don't know how to live life anymore, and it really intensified my social anxiety to the point where I isolate myself all the time. I'm just always scared.

I feel like I don't know how to live life. I feel really insecure about the way I live my life. I just work and do nothing on my days off. Is that normal? I'm 22 years old. On my free time, I usually just read or play video games. What are some things you do on your free time? I feel like people won't accept me if I tell them this also.

Edit: Also, since I'm 22 I feel really insecure about telling people I didn't go to some type of party over the weekend. What do you guys think about that?

 

Get out from infront of the video games and go outside. Start with walks either in a local park or find yourself a nice quiet woods to walk in. Next off, find yourself a hobby, you have to have somthing of interest to you. All my free time is geared towards either my classic cars or woodworking. You can even go to a bookstore with a coffee shop. Sit down with a book and engage yourself in some conversation with other patrons. Most of them are open to some conversation.

 

The most rewarding things will probably be those which involve either picking up a new skill or getting creative. In my spare time I learn to drive, learn to play guitar, learn French, help to write and produce films, watch films and read plenty of non-fiction. What have you always wanted to learn, or what skills would you like to pick up? Do you feel an urge to create anything in particular?

Exercise is also great for generally feeling good about yourself. I cycle as much as possible. Do you exercise?

Socialising is also important although I don't get the chance nearly as often as I'd like to at the moment. It's understandable that after a long week at work and university I just want some down time. Maybe resting is important for you too, but I'd advise a special outing with friends or family at least every few weeks.

Edit: Just realised you mentioned social anxiety and isolation. I've been there. Crack down on it now. The sooner you catch it the less entrenched that behaviour pattern will be. Force yourself out of the house, to events that interest you, to other people's houses, to bars, to a library, anywhere. Don't stand for a sub-standard lifestyle in the name of trauma. It's definitely not worth it. Biggest regret of my life is letting that shit slide for years.

 

I agree with most of what the previous posters have suggested. I'd like to add this: You needn't leave your home to get started. You can begin to develop interests and relationships from home, using the internet and places like this forum. This might be a baby step you can feel comfortable with, until you are ready to make a move outside this zone. Exchanging thoughts with others can be therapeutic and help you to understand your situation and options better.

I don't mean to steal your thunder, but I'm in a similar position myself. I live in China, but I'm allergic to tobacco fumes, so I seldom leave my apartment for anything besides work or grocery shopping. I could feel like a prisoner in my home, but instead, I have taken this as an opportunity to work on some personal projects (I'm writing a book, for example). It may sound cliched, but it's like making lemonade when life gives you a bunch of lemons; I've taken it another step, and opened a lemonade stand.

Coming here for ideas was a good idea, too. Good luck.

 

sounds pretty normal to me. well maybe not "normal," but i don't see the probelm. other than your anxiety. i prefer to stay at home a lot of times, rather than go out the bars or to a party and get wasted every weekend like most of your age group tends to do.

i enjoy reading and videogames as well. i also smoke a lot of weed and trip on psychedelics somewhat regularly.

but my "healthier" habits would be going for walks in the park to admire nature and riding my bike. i like going to live music events, there are usually a lot of free or at least cheap local music venues.

i don't really have any good advice about your anxiety, other than the fact that most people aren't even paying attention to you. one tends to notice themselves a LOT more than other people do

 

Test... first message...

 

I typed a long time posting a message here to see it vanish in an error in this site. Dammit.

Watch the movie The Secret (2006). It talks about the Law of Attraction, a universal law. It's a documentary about the Law of Attraction, a universal law. It is dense and full of info, but it is worth it to watch. And don't think it's stupid or lame, because it is real. In my original post I had related this with that insecure feeling when it comes to social events or parties that you weren't there. [dammit, don't remember how I worded it.... self-acceptance..."should" be there....] I'll come back later, maybe.

PS. It says I'm a guest... I want to become a member! How do I do that?