i’ve found that wearing a baseball cap when speaking in public helps because it covers part of my face. wearing a mask also helps me so so much. mask mandates are being relaxed but i still wear one to class so that if i have to talk or give a presentation it’s a lot easier

Social anxiety sucks. Sometimes trying baby steps is what leads to the biggest growth. (For me part of my social anxiety is separation anxiety and so it would look like me leaving the house to go on a walk around the block with someone I trust and felt safe with and then slowly working towards taking that walk by myself- or working on just saying a friendly hi or (complimenting an item the person is wearing) to someone you pass when walking- chances are they aren’t going to want to stop and talk- rather they will either 1) ignore you 2) say hi back/say thank you or 3) say hi and ask how you are while still walking. I hate that schools put kids into speaking roles without concern for those who have serious mental health issues that can be really triggered by speaking roles.