Throughout my life I have been very closed about my anxiety issues. That all started to change when anxiety started to affect my work, and I had to open up to my bosses and coworkers about what was going on. I had to quit my job as a result of my anxiety, even though I think this was the right decision for other reasons as well.
A lot of my social network where I live was through my work. I've felt increasing isolated from my former work friends since quitting my job. I no longer see them at work, but even outside social events I used to happily be a part of are now awkward, or I'm left out entirely. One person still makes an effort to be friends with me, but for everyone else, they have never even asked me even how I'm doing, which hurts. Part of me thinks these people were never really my friends, and that's hard to take too!
I'd feel a little better if I felt like I could be making some new friends, but it's tough here in this small community. There aren't a lot of people my age, and a lot of those who are my age are moving away for the winter season. I feel like I have friends elsewhere, like back in my hometown, but that doesn't always help with this feeling of isolation.
This has all dragged me down today since both I and a former co-worker had a birthday this week. All of our friends in common wrote happy birthday wishes on her facebook wall, while none of them said anything to me. I know this is such a petty thing but it still hurts! And I feel like it symbolizes the greater shift in our relationships.
