Wow! I so very much relate to your post Jeanette. I am constantly anxiety ridden over my close relationships rather than more “surface level” ones. I too, assume the responsibility that I must flow the conversation and be “interesting” rather than the other person. I love that rock banana brought up the point that our presence is enough. We don’t need other people in our lives, but we crave them, and that’s exactlty what our friends are doing too. Not everything that is said will be interesting, nor should it be an expectation, and it shouldn’t fall on one person either. If a conversation is not flowing, it cannot only be your fault.
I realize easier said than done, and I often think I need some social anxiety therapy…but I just wanted to thank you for opening up your concern to the public and for the very well-thought response.