Being socially awkward isn’t just a case of occasionally feeling embarrassed or getting things wrong. For many people, it can be a real curse, destroying their ability to maintain healthy social lives or develop meaningful relationships.
Often, people suffer in silence, just believing that there’s something inherently wrong with them that can’t be fixed. However, if you suffer one or more of the following symptoms, be assured that the problem is simply an unwanted dose of social awkwardness, which can easily be fixed.
# Think outside yourselfYou are not the center of the universe, and not everyone is thinking about or looking at you. They’re thinking about their jobs, partners, children, and a thousand other things, but usually not you. Once you realize this, you’ll be a lot happier interacting with others.
# ListenA lot of the reason why you get conversational and social cues wrong is that you’re so tense and worried about making mistakes that you don’t listen properly to people. Start to focus on your listening skills and let the virtuous circle begin.
# StopIf you’re getting clumsy, getting things wrong, and becoming aware that you’re making things a bit awkward, then STOP. Stop everything—thought, movement, speech, etc.—and take a deep breath before starting over again. Even slippery slopes can be climbed.