Do you feel awkward when trying to make small talk with your colleagues or anxious while
meeting your partner’s friends and family? Do you feel scared about being left out at parties and
social gatherings?
Then know that you are not alone in this.
A lot of people are under confident while socializing and feel anxious and nervous in that
situation.
As a result, they miss out on a lot of fun and interesting times. It can also have a direct impact
on their professional and personal life.
The irony is that we humans are known as social beings; however, we can be pretty judgmental
as well. This leads to us being conscious and nervous in social situations.
If your social awkwardness has made it difficult for you to deal with even mundane social
situations in your daily life, then you need to overcome this problem. You can incorporate these
small steps to feel more confident and less awkward while socializing.
Normalize feeling anxious while socializing
It is completely okay to feel a little nervous and anxious before or during any social situations.
It happens to the best of us. Building confidence and some positive self-talk will help you feel
confident and comfortable while socializing.
However, understand the difference between occasional nervousness or awkwardness during
social interactions and social anxiety.
If you are suffering from the latter, it might be helpful to consult a mental healthcare
professional.
They have the necessary tools to help you overcome this and lead a healthy social life.
Be yourself
Being your authentic self is the most attractive quality. Don’t try to change yourself just to fit in.
If you are not comfortable being you, how can you truly feel confident? Research has shown
that when you are confident and comfortable in being who you are, you have great self-esteem
and decreased stress levels. So no matter how uneasy you are, stay true to yourself, and
confidence will follow.
Better to be prepared than awkward
Pre-planned preparation is an effective way to manage nervousness while socializing and avoid
feeling under confident and awkward. Learning all the details about the upcoming event helps
you familiarize yourself with what to expect, helping you plan ahead and feel more comfortable
and confident.
Start with baby steps and then work your way up
To overcome your fear of socializing and feeling nervous or awkward and under confident during
social interactions, start with your friends and family or a set up where you are most
comfortable.
Go to social events with like-minded people, with whom you share common interests and
hobbies.
Communities like Oopar.club offer you the platform to connect with like-minded people over
shared interests. They organize both online and offline events for the members to socialize.
As you gain more confidence in social situations, try to get out of your comfort zone and explore
new avenues.
Ask questions about others
While socializing, the way conversation flows decides the success of the event. It is very
important to have healthy conversations to ensure a relaxed and happy environment for
everyone.
A great way to ensure that conversations go smoothly is to ask questions to people you are
talking with or hanging out with. This will help you build a connection and a common ground with
them, reducing the stress of socializing.
Socializing may feel daunting, but with some practice and self- confidence, it will become more
natural. Building social skills benefits both personal and professional growth. So next time you
feel anxious about a social event, remember you’re not alone. Enhance your confidence, seek
professional help if needed, and embrace opportunities to connect with others.