I do not know who had told you that but to act as if you do not need to socialize. Its only for those who love to socialize. To act as if, you just need to do those things which you would have normally done if your love was with you. And if socializing does not form part of the activities that you would have done if your love was with you then you don't need to do it. In simple terms, to "ACT AS IF" you need to those things which you love to do and which make you happy. That's all.

​Love for you

Cheers guys, I thought so. I was told by someone that my social anxiety was repelling

Yeah it does. But I have been doing my research though. I really like it. I understand it better

Acting as if can be tricky and I think that's because people make a big deal on what action to take instead of the state of mind that inspires action. It becomes a pattern of doing stuff without an inner shift, so we're still a magnet to bad ****.

I think we know intuitively which action or way of living is best for us, but it's hard to execute it because first and foremost - our state of mind is off. Like big_blue said, it's about feeling, we want to feel as if first. Once we feel as if we are already that which we want to be, the right action or way of living becomes more clear.

A long time ago, I messed up a project (which I visualized the hell out of). The only reason why I was worried about it was because I thought I needed to succeed to be financially successful. But that's not true, there would be other opportunities. So I decided to meditate and let go of the sadness and frustration. Then I decided to act like I was wealthy, I told myself "**** it! I'm Warren Buffett!" (He is a CEO and investor, one of the richest men in the world and renowned for his investment savvy). I visualized myself being wealthy and confident about that, as that feeling washed over me, the path of action became more clear. My body language felt more confident, I looked up different charities to donate to, I looked up good stocks to invest in, I read about the economy to know what's up, I'd do my econ homework pretending that I'm consulting people on how to grow their assets, I'd visualize myself as Warren Buffett lecturing the U.S. Congress to tax the rich, I'd enjoy my life more because what the hell, I'm rich, I have nothing to stress about. Doing these things made me feel richer, they felt natural and fun because it was inspired from the decision, from that state of mind that I am rich already. In time, the projects I was worried about became successful and more cash came my way.

Sometimes we already know what action to take but it's hard to get over the resistance to actually do it. When it comes to losing weight, I know I can't do it without exercise. I just don't believe I can do it without exercise. But exercise is boring, sometimes it seems too hard. So I "act as if" I'm James Bond. Maybe I'll visualize myself being James Bond on one of his adventures and then I'll feel like I am James Bond, fully capable of running fast and far, good at combat (shadowboxing), good at pushups and weightlifting...so with the feeling that I am James Bond, I automatically feel more active and capable of more daring exercises...which leads to more fun and active exercise routines...which leads to a fitter body. This also releases the resistance of forcing things to happen through action. Since I feel like I'm James Bond the exercise becomes natural and inspired, not forced, it's just another moment of fun and pretend and feeling like I am him.