An Australian reader has reached out to the popular advice column Anxiety Aunt, expressing a profound and puzzling shift in their social desires. The individual, who signs their letter as "Anti-social", reveals that despite once being a very sociable person, they have spent the past six months consistently backing out of events and avoiding catch-ups with friends.
A Sudden Shift in Social Energy
Initially, the writer attributed this change to the winter blues and a natural tendency to hibernate during the colder months. However, with the arrival of nicer weather, the inclination to put on "party shoes" or accept lunch and dinner invitations has not returned. The pressure is now mounting with numerous end-of-year parties and the rush to meet "before Christmas", making the act of saying no both difficult and draining.
"I have neither the energy or the inclination to agree," the reader confesses. Being in their early 50s, they are keen to understand if this is a phase they will snap out of, noting there is "plenty of life left in the old dog yet, just no enthusiasm!".
Anxiety Aunt's Pendulum Philosophy
In her characteristically wise and witty response published in The West Australian on Saturday, 6 December 2025, Anxiety Aunt draws on her own colourful life experiences to offer reassurance. She philosophises that life is much like a pendulum, swinging between highs and lows but spending most of its time lolling in the middle ground.
Learning to enjoy that slower, middle pace is the secret to contentment, she advises. She contrasts her past life as an "impoverished, semi-permanently drunk and frequently promiscuous cancan dancer" with her current preference for quiet nights watching David Attenborough documentaries with neighbour Bert Saunders—though she notes Bert's homemade whisky tastings can still lead to unexpectedly frisky evenings.
Is It Burnout or a Natural Change?
Anxiety Aunt suggests this social withdrawal could simply reflect the reader's current stage in life. "Sometimes our minds or our bodies try to tell us to take it easy," she writes. She acknowledges that many people are struggling with fatigue and burnout, exacerbated by information overload and constant digital stimulus, feelings that often intensify during the hectic festive season.
Her core message is one of permission: you shouldn't beat yourself up for wanting to take things easy. Choosing an evening on the couch over a night of chardonnay and dancing is a valid choice for recharging. However, she also prudently recommends a check-up with a GP to rule out any underlying health issues when one is not feeling like themselves.
Ultimately, Anxiety Aunt encourages the reader to listen to their own needs and take life at their own pace, affirming that everyone, even reformed party queens, needs to recharge their batteries once in a while.
