A New Place

Wow, Ursa!
You definitely nailed several different facets of  truly impactful, anxious experiences. Social anxiety and meeting new people or going to new places can sometimes wreak havoc, emotionally. I've been there! You so aptly and poetically laid it out here, in such a poignant, truthful and touching way. I've tried my very best to overcome this problem (via self-help books, therapy, etc.. ) and for the most part I'm ok now. (with lots of practice) Yet I wholly empathize and remember, not too long ago, how that wasn't the case, by far!! I believe more people deal with this type of anxiety than most of us think. There's help and hope available. Understanding those who suffer with this issue and their plight, is how to begin de-stigmatizing and reinforcing that there's absolutely nothing wrong with having those feelings.

Thanks for shining a light, dear lady 🔆

Much love and respect,
🌹-B
x

Hello B,
Thank you for your kind comment, and for adding this piece to your RL. It is a tough topic to portray accurately for me, I think, so I am so pleased that it came across to you.  
I am sorry to hear of your struggles and happy to hear that you are feeling better. The pandemic has increased my anxiety A LOT and has not yet settled as much as I want it to.. us beings are always a work in progress..and nonjudgment plays a huge role here in healing, and moving to a stronger place..

I appreciate you. Hope that you have a great day!
warmly,
ursa 💜

Agree with B ... well penned ... great flow ... captures the subject perfectly ... nice emoting/evoking ... a blend of courage and vulnerability expertly struck ...

Hello LilDragonFly,
Sincerely appreciate you stopping by, for your comment and RL add. Love that you have shared how courage and vulnerability seems balanced here; such a helpful comment as it was something I had my eye on.
You are appreciated.
warmly, ursa 💜

Hey, you got this!  Writing is probably the best therapy, cure, friend nudging you forward, etc.  I know!  Writing is the one thing you'll always have in your corner.  And that is powerful. As writers, we are creators. Be it a droopy sand castle, or a mansion of metaphors. Your writing is your power personified.  And it builds courage.
So trust yourself, and go kick ass.

Hello Styxian,
thank you for stopping by and for your comment. So, so true: writing is such therapy :). And love your 'droopy sand castle or a mansion of metaphors'.. what a great poetry prompt!
thank you for your pep talk; you're a great support here.
Hope that you're having a great day, warmly,
ursa 💜

I concur with Blu.

I have also incorporated books on the subject, such as the anxiety work book
into my existential dilemma.

I have experienced symptoms of PTSD, Depression, Anxiety...  These things...

I also concur, regarding the practical universality of either feeling or having
felt, experiencing or having experienced these things...

You captured this, turned it into words,
and made the whirling world stand still,
in a most marvelous manner.

Structure clean and pristine.

Sensory elements superb.

Nicely done.

(You are beautiful, strong, intelligent, gritty and witty...)

:)))

Sincerely appreciate your eyes on this one Cipher_0; thank you for taking the time to comment. Sorry to hear you have experienced some of these feelings. Seems to be the human experience; manifests in different ways for all of us but nonetheless part of the experience.
thank you for your compassionate comment, for taking the time to share all of this..
I appreciate you,
ursa 💜

Loved the surprise in the last stanza. A+ Hugs and peace, lovely lady. Oral

Thank you dear friend, for your comment, your kindness.
Hope you're keeping well,
ursa 💜

Dear U,

I ditto all the above. Social scenes are the pits. I’d rather be at the gyn office than attend a “fun” event and have to make small talk or any talk really. My special favorite is summoning the courage to go (from guilt as I’ve typically declined a number of previous invites) arrive and after a bunch of introductions I’m left alone with a sweating drink in my hand and not a single conversation clique to make it look like I’m socializing 🙄
Super appreciate this write and its marvelous truth- and the perspective you wrote it. The numbering of the stanzas provides a great flow to your process. H🌷

Dear H,
Thank you kindly for your comment; always appreciated. You are spot on, you have beautifully illustrate the voice of social anxiety (at the moment I am worrying the drink will slip through sweaty hands and crash to the floor).
at the same time I don't want to imagine the significant loss to any party were you to not be in attendance.
have a great weekend,
ursa 💜