Was That My Comfort Zone…?

Today I pushed myself right out of my comfort zone… at some point, several years ago, I had a bit of a social breakdown whilst at an event in Stirling. I had to leave because I couldn’t handle the crowds - it was a work event back in the days when I was at the Scottish Institute of Sport. Ever since then I have had a bit, or lot, of social anxiety. I still don’t know what triggered it, and it is something I am actively trying to work on - but keep failing as I get the fear and back out of social engagements quite a lot.

Being a photographer fits in fine with this then as I tend to work alone and can go for days without speaking to anyone outside of my family! But it isn’t healthy - I think I am quite a social creature deep down inside, but I fear rejection and ridicule, or something like that perhaps?

So today I pushed myself quite far outside that comfort zone by going to a business networking event in Dornoch. It was quite good - it was small, everyone was friendly… nothing too scary! I had some good chats and I will probably alternate between Dornoch and Inverness and try to do one a month as a bit of a “safe” way to do some socialising without too much commitment as it were. Maybe then I will start to feel less self concious about going to more social events… maybe….

Anyway. It’s been a productive day.

27th March 2026