Has anyone else struggled with socializing outside the Jewish community post-October 7?

Hello, everyone! I'm a 31 year old Ashkenazi Jew living in the United States in a major city. Before October 7, I had a diverse range of friends (both Jewish and not) from intramural sports, improv classes, and Jewish life. I never thought twice about talking about my Jewish heritage with these folks. However, now a year since October 7, I still find it challenging to be around non-Jews. My first instinct when meeting someone new is to wonder how they feel about Jews. This has impacted my professional and personal lives to varying degrees. Can anyone relate, and how have you coped with this?

Like many people, I witnessed a dramatic surge in antisemitism over the last year in my own city. I lost friends, I witnessed calls to violence against my city's Jewish community, I saw Jewish restaurants blocks from my apartment be vandalized and harassed by crowds in the hundreds, I saw local synagogues be vandalized--one even set on fire, I've seen swastikas on local Holocaust memorials, and I've seen people who I thought were my friends celebrate the murder and kidnapping of Israelis on social media.

In my personal life, I've distanced myself from friends who aren't Jewish. I feel like they just don't get it, nor will they be able to empathize with the Jewish experience right now. It's also been difficult bringing my non-Jewish friends around my Jewish friends at events -- they generally feel out of place.

I used to host such vibrant Shabbat dinners (very secular, with many non-Jewish friends in attendance). Since October 7, I don't feel comfortable inviting anyone who isn't Jewish because I worry they would say no and it would strain what remains of the relationship.

Post-October 7, whenever I meet someone new whose not Jewish, my gut instinct is to wonder whether or not they hate Jews. I feel awful admitting this, but with the number of friends I've lost, it's become true.

I also struggle in my professional life with this. Before October 7, I used to be very involved socially at work. Now, I find myself doing my work and just going home. I haven't felt comfortable going to happy hours, team lunches, etcetera. Whereas most of my colleagues can openly talk about the food, traditions and language of their culture, I feel like I need to hide mine. It's completely illogical because I haven't experienced any antisemitism at work, but I still feel like my background is a topic that isn't safe to bring up.

I recognize that I can't continue living like this, where I completely cut myself off from the non-Jewish world. Has anyone else struggled with this? What's worked for you?