Originally Posted by
SpiritOfDjinn 
I hear ya Nik. Social anxiety is something I struggle with too. It's never pretty but it can be managed. As I try to move forward with my writing I worry about attending events and such myself. I guess for now, I've resolved to crossing that bridge when I come to it. I hope you feel better.
Thanks for this, Djinn. The good news for you is when that bridge does arrive, you'll have heaps of sober time under your belt and will be able to manage the public setting. I was already deep into drinking, binging, before I started doing the public events. I do think the best route for me right now is to not do them. And I have to be ok with not doing them in the future. I'm lowering my expectations of myself -- and trying to accept them. We do what we can. I'll leave the public face to someone else.
Great new poem!