Does socializing ever become enjoyable?

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I used to be very shy, but then pushed myself to interact more & more until I eradicated my social anxiety. All of my family members told me to do this thinking fear was the root of the problem. However, now I find myself regressing.

It seems all I've done is numb myself to the pressures of interaction. This does not mean I find chit-chat any more fun, or any less pointless. Still just see it as dead time until the group decides to do a more organized activity. I still find any time at a bar or party where I'm not playing a game, watching something, or doing something productive, pretty much down time. I'll make an effort to participate, but I have to continuely force myself in order to not seem out of place.

Clearly, building up a tolerance for something is not the same as actually liking it. Like poking yourself with a needle. After the 1000th time, it may not hurt anymore, but I doubt anyone would jump at the chance for a fun-filled day of poking yourself with needles.

I'm likely gunna just stick to organized activities. Anyone else come to this conclusion?

I know what you mean, been working on this myself recently. I just seem to go thru phases where sometimes I feel more sociable and outgoing and can be a lot less introverted; and then I'll regress like you said. I'll start to just be more hermit-like and keep to myself, not because I hate anyone or anything, but I will start to feel overloaded and need that "me" time. Then I'll miss the interaction and go back to that for a while, round and round. I do well with one or two people or a small group, a small party; but then with large groups, big parties, clubs, etc. I really have to force myself as you said. Or else just practice avoidance.

This is one of the things I was reminded of, recently. No matter how effective my coping skills are, they compensate for, but do not eradicate my deficits.

I have learned skills to be able to "socialize", but they don't make it enjoyable or meaningful. Small talk is always a means to an end for me.

Enjoyable? Nah. I think it always will stay in the category of a chore, like flossing your teeth. I think for me part of the problem is the chaotic situation set up by a group of people interacting in an disorganized manner. My experience had been that while I am attempting to socialize by engaging in conversation with one person, someone else will walk up and take over the conversation as if I'm not even there. It's like riding around in bumper cars,and the other cars always have louder voices. So what's the point? Why try to talk to people when no one is going to listen anyway?

I recently left school for college, and I can use my energy and intelligence to get through the day, but it's always tiring and I'd much rather not have to bother with any interaction with the other pupils. It is more tolerence than anything else I find- an irritation by any other name is still an irritation. I'd like to have a great friend, but I know it's very very unlikey I'll fidn that person in a college setting, so I don't bother trying to make any meaningful relationships with people at college.

Once I was around people who didn't treat me like a freak things got a lot better. I never NEED to socialize, but I can enjoy it now. But I have to be honest, it took something like 25 years of constant practice to get here.

Only under certain conditions, such as low amounts of people as well as people I either know or who are just less threatening than others. Otherwise, I always feel out of place even if nothing is wrong.

Trying to be like most people does exactly that: some kind of a numbing effect. I found it to be pointless and unproductive. Unless I want something specific, I don't pretend.

Enjoyable? Not yet, but I've only had 40+ years of exposure and practice. Then again, I suspect I'll never come to enjoy it, since I suspect the pleasure people derive from socializing is largely a matter of inborn temperament, tempered (or tainted?) by life experiences.

It's enjoyable if it's someone I like; If I socialize with a girl I have a crush on, it feels pretty good and any rare moments of socialization with this person is a secret joy to me and I wish I could do it more. So really, I only enjoy socializing if its people I really like and that's very few to be honest.

enjoyable? That's not easy i guess. I just enjoyed to talk with a boy i liked for 10 years. I feel relax with him around, it's strange, i know.

Until I realize they were all just "playing along" to avoid hurting my feelings sure...

Socializing is enjoyable when I find myself developing true friendships and having personal conversations with 1 or 2 people. At parties I usually just make a fool of myself and sometimes this is enjoyable in a manic way but I end up regretting it later.

I say it can.

I need social connection, but it's tiring to do.

When I meet someone I actually connect with, I enjoy being around them. With others, I try to make the most of it.

It's only enjoyable for me if I'm talking to someone about something which I'm interested in, which is quite rare.

it is very enjoyable with the right person. someone you can be real with.