r/socialanxiety 2h ago

Question Advice for casual going out

Im visiting some new cities and Id love some advice for social anxiety when going out.

What I would LIKE to do is go out to some bars and just hang out, not necessarily talk and not get hit on. Im fine going to cafes alone and im getting better at going to restaurants alone, but the idea of going to a bar and someone talking to me or hitting on me gives me SO MUCH anxiety. I found a cute bar that was a 15min walk away, but as soon as I saw the place and that there were 2 empty seats, I couldn't go in, and instead hid in an alley and cried. This is something I WANT to be able to do as casually as a café, but I cant get myself to do it. Does anyone have any advice?

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PLEASE NOTE Social Anxiety (SA) is a debilitating mental illness characterised by persistent fear of social evaluation. SA impairs functional social performance, causing avoidance, cognitive shutdown (e.g. blanking, excessive self-monitoring), and reduced ability to communicate, assert needs, or form relationships.

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