My strategies!
I’ve struggled with Selective Mutism and Social Anxiety for practically my whole life, which also means I’ve acquired a lot of useful strategies. I eventually narrowed down the skills and strategies that have worked best for me all these years.
Strategies that work for me!
Taking Breaks
Knowing when to take breaks and allowing myself to do so has been incredibly helpful. Even if it’s just a few minutes, those moments I spend in restaurant bathrooms have always helped calm me.
Talking to people
Even anonymously, sharing my story has made me realize how many other people feel the way I feel, and this has in turn made me feel less alone in my struggles with these disorders.
Reading and Research
Doing research and reading on selective mutism and social anxiety has not only offered me valuable skills, but it’s helped me understand myself better than I ever could have before, which has made me less insecure about having these disorders.
Journaling
Though I’m not incredibly consistent, journaling has not only been a great way to release my emotions, but it’s allowed me to look back and see how far I’ve come.
Exposure
Though I always hate to do it, exposing myself to uncomfortable social situations and pushing myself to step outside of my comfort zone has made things like ordering food so much easier, something I never would have been able to do 4 years ago!
Identifying Triggers
Measuring my stress on a scale of 1-10 and then identifying the people or places that make me the most anxious has always been extremely helpful.