Hi Freya,

It's funny but I feel like you're talking about me hehe.
I get anxious before social events. I've often said to DH that I don't want to go and without his encouragement I would have probably pulled out many times. I won't go to social events on my own. I'm ok if i'm meeting up with one of my close girlfriends but even if I know I will have friends at a party I still get anxious and want DH with me.
I'm 27 and always wonder when I will feel like a respected and mature adult. I often feel like a little kid, like people can see through the confidence I portray and know that i'm actually shy & not so confident hehe.
DH and I never had an engagement party, I didn't tell anyone I was engaged either except family, same thing when I was pregnant, hubby had to convince me to tell work and other ppl. I hate being the centre of attention, I feel uncomfortable when ppl compliment me.
Most of this ppl don't know about me because i've become very good at putting across confidence.
It's only since being with hubby that this is starting to change, I'm starting to stand up for myself whereas usually if someone told me something I disagreed with I'd most likely agree to keep them happy or not respond with my own point of view.
I think it's an active choice to change, I want to feel respected by other ppl, so now when ppl say things to me e.g "Have a c/s it's better for you and bub" I'll say No and this is why etc.
I want to be respected as an adult, i'm 27, i'm married and I'm having a baby, time to change it I say!
So I'm having a baby shower, I'm going to be confident in my abilities at work, home, study etc.
We need to change the way we speak to ourselves too, if we let ourselves be filled with doubt about our abilities etc it will eat us up.
We do a great job, we are adults and we deserve respect and should be confident!
Good luck hun