SPOOKY SEASON is upon us folks! 🧠👻🍄⭐️ . Right let’s talk SOCIAL ANXIETY ☠️ quite a few people I’ve spoken to have been suffering from this including myself 🫠 subconsciously it hovers over me like a little shadow ready to swallow me up. When ever I’m invited out somewhere, my mind likes to introduce me to all the possibilities of the things that could go wrong! from the dreaded journey to the actual event. Naturally I’m a very social, bubbly kind of gal ! But my god since covid the anxiety of hanging out with people I have never met before, social gatherings, crowded spaces 👋🏼 I can never seem to concentrate and relax as much as I’d like to! it takes me a while to calm down the loud thoughts. So here’s a little list that helps me when I feel swamped by anxiety: . > Firstly saying no! if your feelings become overwhelming just stay in and put on a banger of a film 🦇 (you can never go wrong there) . > Allow yourself to feel the anxiety and eventually let it pass by - you can always leave any situation that gets too much 🧠 no one’s watching how many minutes / hours you’ve been there (if they are that’s weird 🤡) . > Yep do those classic deep breaths! Shut your eyes - in through the nose 👃 out through the mouth 👄 ... repeat 🔁 . > It’s very brave to challenge your anxious thoughts, try to reverse the negative to ‘what if it goes really well’ ‘if it’s awkward that’s ok it’s not my problem 😂’ ‘I can leave even if it’s been 5 god damn mins’ - taking part is a big step. . Most importantly don’t feel forced or guilty for saying no, and don’t let the dreaded FOMO over ride your decision made - because staying in isn’t missing out if that’s what you need to do to look after yourself. You are always in control - you make the rules not your anxiety 👹💖 . I’d love to hear how you challenge your anxiety?how do you overcome the dreaded fear? 👻❤️ . . . . . . . . . . #illustration #halloweenart #spookyart #ghost #fallillustration #fallmood #mushroomart #doodleart #ghouls #magic #cosyillustration #anxiety #socialanxiety #feelings #mentalhealth#mentalhealthart #spookyseason #helloautmn #october