I hear ya, Amelia. I LOVE going out; dinner, concerts, theater, hanging with friends. Now that I have T, I sometimes have to force myself. Rooms with bare walls and floors, with lots of people talking (like restaurants, parties) can make my T crazy. Glad to know I'm not the only one who finds it exhausting!
But I refuse to let T take over my life. I go And like Yonkapin, I find it always makes me feel better to be out because it distracts me from the infernal noise. Always protect my ears, though. I have a decibel meter and ear plugs in my purse and when I need 'em, I use 'em. And if I'm tired, maybe I leave a little early rather than being the last person to go, like the old days. I'm not afraid to be ask to be reseated in a quieter section of a restaurant, and I buy tickets further back from the stage. But hey, I'm still out and about.
Life still is good, and fun, even with tinnitus. I got my T about two-three months before you, so hang in there, Amelia. Your old self still is in there.