How do social people do it?

Update:
Attempt 2 time

Idk. That is a lot of people
I wouldn't be keen to go either.

I'd probably try and go to the party for at least a half hour so it feels manageable and doable and I don't give up before trying.

Then decide how long to stay after that.

Some parties I make an hour, and some a couple hours and sometimes the entire party before I feel socially exhausted and then head back to the hotel or home.

Good luck!
Don't feel bad if you decide to only stay a short time. It's ok to be introverted.

The only place I can tolerate 3500 people is at the airport when I’m traveling and it’s still very overwhelming 😨. But you’re very sweet and I’m sure everyone at that party would like you. Just smile and nod at people with a glass of wine in your hand 😌.

I think it's the unique combination of autism and adhd that makes me so extraverted. Can't always read the room, but I know to skip the small talk and make fast friends - we all have such interesting stories, I just can't resist.

Thinking about it, I feel like even in those huge settings I always find myself wrapped up in some winding, lovely, one on one conversation.

I am curious; what kind of conference was it?

I used to be like that. Took me 40 years to learn that you can instantly turn into an extrovert and behave like one if you just start focusing intently on your surroundings and on the people you are interacting with and completely ignoring your own thoughts about yourself.

I keep telling people this when they have social anxiety like I used to have and it would instantly solve all their problems with this.

But nobody listens. Oh well...guess thats their problem not mine. I am only throwing the literal solution right in their face.

If there are people there who you feel connection with and who you feel want you around and have your back, it can help. Another way is if you have a social motive like there's someone you want to meet or you're genuinely interested in talking to strangers and making potential new friends.
Otherwise, being in a crowd really can get tiring.

I don't know but the thought of it alone exhausts me. I've only gone to a handful of work conferences and each time I left feeling drained. I can't imagine going to anything of that size. 😳

i always left when meetings wrapped up and turned into small talk but maybe that was my anxiety lol

Same here but some people seem to thrive on it. Different strokes for different folks as they say.

Be friendly, don’t have too many expectations, and don’t care too much

That would be me too. I would just be there for the food and refreshments lol.

People on the surface don't bother me. But ... I hate crowds. I couldn't do it.

Most people really have nothing to say. I would look for food then chow down and leave.

attend naked assert dominance

I don't know. I can't do it either.

Keep us in the loop JR

You need an alter ego.

Drink

That’s too much peopling for me. Good luck on attempt 2.