Is it possible that some of your tenseness could be coming from the fact that you don’t feel the same or as comfortable as the other people around you and it might feel like something is wrong with you? If you are introverted, I think it’s pretty normal to feel anxiety when you have an event coming up. I get that feeling, too, even though I know it’s with people I know well and generally feel comfortable around, I still feel anxious leading up to the event. I think that part is normal.
If your focus is on the fact that you don’t feel upbeat and happy and you feel resistant to the fact that you naturally have a more introverted/anxious situation, that can create more resistance… fighting against who you are makes you feel even worse, and that could be part of what is making you feel so much tension, especially if you’re focusing on the fact that you DON’T feel upbeat and happy… focusing on what you don’t want makes you feel more of it. Does that make sense or is any of this resonating with you?
If possible, I would talk to a counselor. They can help you work through your feelings of anxiety, teach you tools to be able to handle those feelings in order to feel more comfortable, and help you work through any blocks you may have that may be keeping you from being able to truly connect with people.
.
Though I run this site, it is not mine. It's ours. It's not about me. It's about us. Your stories and your wisdom are just as meaningful as mine. Click here to read more.