I am 22 and having social anxiety out of nowhere it seems. I don't know if it's social anxiety, or just extreme annoyance at people my age who I view as immature and close-minded. Last year when I was 21, I used to love going out to the bars with friends, I went out almost every night. Now, I can't be bothered with any of my friends, or most anyone my age.
It's not that I don't like them, it's just that I feel I have nothing in common with them anymore. They all went to college, claim that they are "independent" but have their parents pay their rent/car insurance/give them grocery money, are either unemployed or working 9-5 jobs, and drink irresponsibly every weekend.
Ever since I started dancing full-time (9 months ago), I got my own place again (a nice house!), live with my boyfriend (who dropped out of HS, but is an independent contractor like me, has his own construction business that makes good money), work hard and enjoy my job, and I have no desire to return to college. I love the freedom of this job, and I feel very rewarded for physically WORKING HARD for my money. I'm so blue-collar-minded, lol. Although I think this is progress, a lot of people I used to know and be friends with are now freaked out by me, and I know that they are disgusted behind my back ("She dropped out of college...BF is a high-school dropout....stripper....etc"). Whenever I am around these people, they are so visibly uncomfortable now.
Maybe its because of where I grew up (upper-middle class area), that people think going to college makes you "a better person" (even if you end up working at Starbucks), and around here if you don't have a college degree (or are pursuing one) you are SERIOUSLY looked down-upon. For example: At one friend's college graduation party, he ACTUALLY said to me "Yeah, my degree is in History. I have no idea what I want to do." And his sister ACTUALLY replied "Well, at least you HAVE a degree," in this snotty-ass tone, as if people who don't have degrees are low-life scum rooting through garbage cans. Doesn't matter that he just spent $100,000 to get that piece of paper, and now he doesn't know what to do.
I don't feel the need to drink anymore, I feel as if I'm way past that phase. When I hear stories of people my age STILL going out to bars, hooking up with strangers (Hello, STDs!), pissing themselves, getting arrested for fighting, not remembering anything, and passing out in unfamiliar places; I just feel as if I'm better and more mature than that. As a result, I've pretty much alienated myself from the social scene, because drinking at bars is the ONLY thing to do at night in my stupid small town.
I feel very proud of myself, and admire myself for the balls to choose paths I've chosen. I knew they were not conventional, but I knew they were right for me. I just want to know if anyone ever feels alone like this I guess. Any ideas on getting out of this hermit-rut? Just needed to vent.



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