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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Health
Elle Hunt

I want to host more parties, but I’m worried nobody will come

”Ivy Anxiety United States
an illustration of a person at a large table alone
‘The biggest risk there is, when it comes to social interaction, is not taking any risk at all,’ says psychologist Marisa G Franco. Illustration: Rita Liu/The Guardian

It’s Saturday night and the entire back half of the tapas restaurant is packed for my friend Ivy’s birthday dinner.

Ivy is queenly at the centre of the table, bouquets and little gift bags crowding her elbows. Multiple lines of conversation flow above the small plates, and drinks and desserts keep coming, because no one wants to call it a night. It’s an unequivocal success.

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