100% yes. If there’s one thing I’m definitely guilty of and it’s honestly something I hate about myself it’s avoiding situations. I fucking hate it, it’s not me at all. I like talking to people, I like being funny and witty, I want to get to know people etc. But there’s no worse feeling for me than being sat there talking to someone, I’m fine and then just falling apart, losing my words, And seeing their confused face, and having to explain myself and ugh, it just fucking ruins me. Ruins my day and just bugs me for a while So yeah it’s easier to just not bother, it’s so much less stressful and less of a mental burden. But it just ends up leaving me hurt because I don’t wanna be that guy, I wanna be me. Honestly though I couldnt agree more with everything you said, missed opportunities, untapped potential, I could go on for days about how much it’s changed my life and not for the better. It fucking sucks. On top of everything you said i feel it’s definitely made me over think situations that a normal person just wouldn’t think twice about, as well being pretty self aware and self critical of myself. And it’s all because sometimes I can’t speak