Social Anxiety or Just Fear of Speaking Up?

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Hello, seeking some reassurance and advice here. I’m about 1 month in my new full-time job after graduation and I feel anxiety a lot of times during social interactions like meetings and upcoming presentations.

I feel imposter syndrome too due to being new and not having a lot of experience and knowledge yet though I feel there are quite a lot of expectations on me to lead meetings and projects.

Due to my inner anxiety, I always feel stuck and not being able to speak up as I fear being judged or negatively perceived. Hence, I usually think and analyse a lot on what to say and how to act before moving forward. However, it’s not to the extent of breaking down and sweating.

I want to know potential cause of this feeling and is there a need to further seek professional help or just requires work on my end?

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Normal. Read up more on soft skills or get professional help. Helps when asking ex classmates about it

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Hi @corporategurlie

Thank you for reaching out and Congratulations on your new job! It’s normal to feel anxious and experience imposter syndrome, especially in a new role. I believe these could be potential causes:

Causes:

  1. Transition stress: Adjusting to a new work environment.
  2. High expectations: Self-imposed or external pressure.
  3. Lack of experience: Feeling uncertain.
  4. Fear of evaluation: Social anxiety.

Do try these:

Self-Help Strategies

  1. Prepare thoroughly: Research, organize thoughts.
  2. Reframe thinking: Focus on learning, growth.
  3. Small steps: Start small, build confidence.
  4. Support network: Colleagues, mentor, friends.
  5. Self-care: Exercise, mindfulness, relaxation.
  6. Realistic goals: Set achievable objectives.

Please seek professional help from a counsellor if you experience :

  1. Overwhelming anxiety: Interferes daily life.
  2. Prolonged self-doubt: Persists, affects performance.
  3. Physical symptoms: Panic attacks, sweating.
  4. Avoidance behaviors: Consistently dodging responsibilities.

You’ve taken the first step by acknowledging concerns. Start with self-help strategies and reassess. If needed, explore professional guidance. I hope it helps to know that what you are going through, though unpleasant, is something many of us can relate to. You can overcome by taking small steady steps forward. :heart:

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Congrats on the new job, @corporategurlie. I think it’s normal to feel anxious during transition periods like this (new environment, new people, new routine). Can observe a bit more and see how it goes.

Have you felt the anxiety being a barrier to meaningful interactions when you were still schooling?