Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2012 8:25:33 GMT
Does anyone have story's about social awkwardness and ways to overcome it.
I avoid it at all costs but it's a lonely way to live.
Fiona x
|
|
|
Post by 16stonepig on Sept 6, 2012 9:50:38 GMT
I often feel awkward in social situations, but I can also really enjoy them. The thing is, there seems to be no way to predict which situations will be which. I used to hide away at home quite a lot, mostly because the fear of awkwardness was much much worse than the reality.
However, I now realise that I would almost always prefer to be out of the house, even if it is not the perfect social situation, than at home living the exact same evening over again. Contact with people is really important, and every time I do it I feel slightly more comfortable with it. I have started saying "yes" to almost everything, as then other people expect me to overcome my reservations.
So, you may fear feeling awkward, but it's better to get out there and challenge the idea than sit at home wondering.
|
|
|
Post by DKL - darkknightslover on Sept 6, 2012 10:17:10 GMT
Join a voluntary organisation. There are some that seem to attract people with particular personalities. For example I am a member of a multinational first aid voluntry group, and there are all sorts of people with all sorts of problems/no problems, but all of them are very accepting personalities of other personility types. Larger organisations are likely to have roles that you can get involved with if you find something isn't to your taste/strengths. Smaller organisations I don't have much experience with but I imagine it's like small vs large businesses. Only friendlier!
Stories... If I knew exactly what I did, I could give you a more humerous and accurate account. Generally I become too enthusiastic and scare people off and then don't talk to other people as much. I'm also always more flirty than I intend to be. since getting with my husband I'm just joking, but it wouldn' surprise me if some blokes thought I really meant it!
Sent from my GT-I9000 using proboards
|
|
bobjones
Member posts quite a bit
Posts: 103
|
Post by bobjones on Sept 9, 2012 14:49:47 GMT
Hiding, avoiding and procrastinating has been a big part of it for me. I'd definitely go with joining a voluntary organisation, it'll give you opportunities you to interact but avoid aspects of social pressure that exist in other areas of life (work, friends, relationships, family). You are there because you want to, you can contribute as much or little as you like but make it clear at the start that you may not be able to commit to a regular thing! They should be fine with that and find something appropriate for you to do. I've been involved in Scouting for 20 odd years but my role allows me to easily alter my level of involvement. Obviously there a times when I may be 'needed' but I either just do it or hide. Cultivating an 'unreliable, forgetful' persona is helpful. Nothing will be perfect, just give it a go. Alcohol can make it go both ways. I've self medicated for years, both to counter social awkwardness, avoid boredom and to alleviate depression/sadness, drinking to forget. Rarely good, mostly bad, in my experience.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2012 15:41:57 GMT
I too am quite awkward and haven't yet found a way to counter it, however I did read a good book (eventually as I kept putting it down and forgetting about it!) called 'What does everyone else know that I don't?' It's written by a mum who has a son with ADHD and it includes lots of social skills advice and tips. I will probably borrow it from the library again one day but I have to read the books I already have out first!
|
|
|
Post by odat on Sept 12, 2012 18:34:00 GMT
meetup.com can be a good way to meet people, if there any groups in your area. There's groups for different hobbies so you'll automatically have something in common with the people.
|
|