Literally in a meeting
 

Break time and I am having a hard time reaching out. Just fear. Going to keep coming. Any suggestions on getting over these newcomer nerves????

Just relax, babe. You will speak when it feels right xxx

They're all just people EJ, just like you and they all share the same issues that you have. Even if you speak up and say "I want to share but I'm really nervous about speaking out but thought that just saying that would be a good start. Thanks".

That will be fully respected. You've got to start somewhere and even if it's just something that small it will help to make the next time easier.

say hi to anyone.....walk through that fear!!!!!

I didn't really talk to many people outside of the meeting format for quite a while.
After you go to a bunch of them, the people don't all seem like strangers anymore. You sort of grow into it.

Just remember, no one got into AA on a winning streak their lives were out of control

Whatever it is ... say it. If your afraid, say it. If your a newcomer, make sure everyone in the room knows it. If it's hard to connect with people , say it, out loud and in the meeting.

The most useful thing for me in sobriety has been to form a new relationship with the truth.

Many people have anxiety over speaking in public. It's very common. Keep that in mind as you are not alone. It gets easier the more you do it.

Hi. As suggested I just made simple statements like I'm struggling with all this new stuff, where can I find the directions, I'm scared of speaking, I'm scared being here, How long do I need to come for, when will I settle down. The big thing is to remember your among people who understand you/us as we were all there at one time.

BE WELL

My sponsor shared with me when I whinned
in early recovery about being scared to talk
in meetings. She calmed my anxiety by letting
me know that in meetings there are those
that talk and those that listen and that it was
okay to be one of those that just listened.

Sure enough, I kept going to my many many
meeting listening and aborbing other members
ESH - experiences, strengths and hopes of
what life was and is like before, during and
after their drinking or drugging.

I also admired my sponsor for her continued
service she shared at each meeting by bringing
delicious desserts to go along with coffee. I
followed in her footsteps doing the same thing
as it helped me have a new purpose in recovery,
service work while learning to stay sober each
day.

It also got me out of my own selfish thinking
or self-centeredness. I was also able to smile,
receive thank you's from those I feared and
get into acceptance.

It's okay to relax and enjoy recovery. It's
insisted that we do this. So relax, enjoy,
smile and learn to remain sober as you
absorb and apply it to ur everyday life. :)

Thank you!!!! Huge help! It was so hard just to go, I am better at listening now. Thanks all!

I was at a meeting two weeks ago where a guy flat out said that he was nervous and was just going to listen. And that is ok. You went. That is a giant step.

Last week I was at a meeting where a woman shared very nervously and self consciously that she was feeling very lonely in sobriety because she didn't know how to connect with people, and that has hard as it was, she was asking for phone numbers. She had plenty by the end of the meeting. I thought it was really brave. If you reach out, people will reach back.

Same here esp considering this aint the south where people are more relaxed, sweeter etc. people @ mtgs here are nice dont get me wrong-just temperament if you will
Didn't mind getting phone numbers @ beginning of sobriety but I feel shy asking here. interestingly got 3 tonite after great speaker mtg @ the urge of old timer. Since fear used to be biggest defect, have to remind myself not to operate in it
Best wishes