I returned to work from office a while back and it was really hard to keep up my social energy high enough. First day I did ok with the excitement of meeting new people aiding me but it was downhill ever since. Showing up to work is itself a huge chore, and the societal obligation to socialise with people at the workplace all the time, is even bigger chore.
For more context, I only used to maintain very small circle of people I talk to in my uni and college days. Ignoring others was kinda ok at that time but doesn’t seem like so here in corporate space.
Don’t get me wrong, I want to be more free and connect with more people and have bigger circles, I want to improve my social skills too. But at the same time, it very taxing and almost makes me to shut off myself and avoid going to places where people who recognise me.
You are under no obligation to go to office social events. Keep your work life and personal life separate if that is what makes you feel most comfortable. I moved to a new city 2 years ago and will be moving in the summer. I have exactly one friend from work.
I keep my social life playing videogames with my sister and some friends from grad school a few times per week. It’s much better than forcing myself to socialize with people I would otherwise want to spend time with.