
The Social Anxiety Club Episode 12 - Yes, You Can Date With Social Anxiety! Here's How We Did It
Jun 24, 2025
Dating with social anxiety is a journey filled with challenges and triumphs. The hosts share personal experiences from sweaty palms on first dates to building genuine connections. They discuss overcoming fear of rejection, using dating apps for exposure, and the importance of authenticity. Tips for managing anxiety, setting boundaries, and self-care are highlighted as keys to healthier romantic relationships. Ultimately, they emphasize that dating isn't just possible for those with anxiety—it's an opportunity for deeper connections.
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Becoming What Others Want Felt Safe
- Claire described becoming whoever she thought others wanted as her social strategy.
- That people-pleasing approach felt safe but was exhausting and inauthentic during dating.
Masking With Alcohol Led To Shallow Dating
- Ed used alcohol and drugs through university to mask social anxiety and enable dating.
- He later realised this created shallow, risky relationships and long-term internal costs.
Romantic Fantasies Prolong Bad Matches
- Claire described slow-burning, romantic fantasies shaped by films like The Notebook.
- Those fantasies led her to cling to unhealthy relationships and avoid exploration.
