Living with social anxiety disorder has been the most painful experience of my life—not because of the anxiety itself, but because of how misunderstood I, along with my mental illness, have been. To this day, I have had countless numbers of people come up to me and say that ‘they get nervous in social situations too’ or that ‘taking a couple of deep breaths have helped their anxiety go away.’ This has not been the same experience for me.

My Story with Social Anxiety

Social anxiety disorder is more than just anxiety—it is a mode of living and experiencing reality. Unlike regular anxiety that goes away, social anxiety is continuous—it stays with you for months or even years. People who suffer from it tend to be anxious in social situations all the time. And while there are exceptions (people who have “non-generalized” social anxiety, something I will be talking about in future posts), the majority of us are silently struggling with a fear that we can’t identify, escape, or adequately deal with. It literally feels like we are locked in a cage that we can’t get out of. 

For those with severe social anxiety (ie: me), everything involving other people became moments of paralyzing fear. Every time I would walk on my college campus and see a friend of mine, instead of being delighted by their sight, it felt like I was struck by a lightning bolt. Within microseconds, my mind would tell me to avoid them at all costs. And if I couldn’t? Then the conversation would be brutal. Eye contact was impossible, opening my mouth was difficult enough, and speaking was the hardest part of all. Every time I said something, I was convinced I was going to be shut down. As a result, I spent years in the shadows, learning to understand this evil force and how to overcome it. 

Years later, my life has changed. The social anxiety that once ruled my life is an afterthought. The late nights of restlessness, the hours of anxiety leading up to social situations, and the days (yes, days) of rumination have come to pass. Most importantly: I can begin to live my life again. The things that used to hold me back (like calling people on the phone, going outside, and having fun with friends) are things that I actually enjoy. 

Why I Started a Social Anxiety Blog

But my story is only part of the reason I started Social Anxiety Haven. The real reason I started this blog is to communicate to you, my fellow reader, that you can overcome social anxiety as well. There is absolutely no reason why anybody, including you, can not be free from the illness that has taken over your life. For years, I believed there was no way out—that social anxiety was my world. But I was wrong, and anyone else who tells you this lie is wrong as well. 

Through this blog, I will share the stories, insights, and practices that have helped me overcome my social anxiety. You will find personal stories that capture the raw reality of what it feels like to live with this disorder — not just the surface-level struggles, but the inner battles that most people never see. 

Alongside these stories, I will bring in research on psychological strategies for reducing social anxiety, explained in a way that’s practical and easy to understand. Too often, advice feels overly clinical or oversimplified. Here, I want to bridge the gap between what science says and how these insights can be applied in everyday life. 

Moreover, you’ll find concrete, actionable strategies — the tools and practices I’ve tested myself. Some worked, some didn’t, and I’ll be honest about both. While everyone’s recovery process is different, I’ll share what truly made a difference for me so that you have practical steps you can try on your own path.

Most importantly, this blog is meant to be a place of encouragement. I know what it feels like to be in a tough place, of thinking you’ll never be able to live freely again. Social Anxiety Haven is a place where we can all come together and support one another, through our shared struggles and hard experiences. Every word here is written with compassion and the conviction that recovery is possible, no matter how hopeless it feels right now.

Finally, I want this blog to be more than just my story — I want it to feel like a haven. A place where we can build connection, share experiences, and remind one another that healing doesn’t happen in isolation. Together, we can face social anxiety with courage, understanding, and the hope of living the lives we deserve. 

Next Steps

If this post resonated with you and you want to learn more about overcoming social anxiety, I invite you to sign up for our weekly newsletter. Each week, I share fresh, practical content, personal insights, and strategies that have helped me reclaim my life — so you can begin building a healthier, freer life too.

If you have questions about my journey or want a bit of encouragement, feel free to leave a comment below. All comments are anonymous and completely private, so don’t feel shy to say anything unique or special. Thank you for being here — I can’t wait to hear from you and share this journey together. 

About Me

Hi, I’m Blake Baretz, the creator of Social Anxiety Haven. I write about my personal journey with social anxiety and share research-backed strategies to help others navigate it. If you’d like more encouragement and resources, join my weekly newsletter.