As humans, we’re meant to be social creatures, in fact, being socially connected is key to our mental and emotional health. Yet many of us are shy and socially introverted. We feel awkward around unfamiliar people, unsure of what to say, or worried about what others might think of us. This can cause us to avoid social situations, cut ourselves off from others, and gradually become isolated and lonely.
Shyness, social insecurity, and a difficulty making friends are common problems among people of all ages and backgrounds, and are nothing to feel ashamed about. The truth is that none of us are born with social skills. They’re things we learn over time and continue to learn throughout our lifetimes.
No matter how nervous you feel in the company of others, you can learn to silence self-critical thoughts, boost your self-esteem, and become more confident in your interactions with others. You don’t have to change your personality, but by learning new skills and adopting a different outlook you can overcome shyness or social awkwardness, feel more connected, and enjoy strong, fulfilling friendships.
Building social skills one step at a time
Improving social skills requires practice. Just as you wouldn’t expect to become good on the guitar without some effort, don’t expect to become comfortable socially without putting in the time. That said, you can start small. Take baby steps towards being more confident and social, then build on those successes.
Smile at someone you pass on the street.
Compliment someone you encounter during your day.
Ask someone a casual question (at a restaurant, for example: “Have you been here before? How’s the steak?”)
How to face your biggest social fears
When it comes to the things that really scare us, you want to face your fears in a gradual way, starting with situations that are slightly stressful and building up to more anxiety-provoking scenarios. Think of it as a stepladder, with each rung a little more stressful than the last. Don’t move on to the next step until you’ve had a positive experience with the step below.
If talking to new people at parties makes you extremely anxious, for example, here is a stepladder you could use:
Go to a party and smile at a few people.
Go to a party and ask a simple question (e.g. “Do you know what time it is?”). Once they’ve answered, politely thank them and then excuse yourself. The key is to make the interaction short and sweet.
Ask a friend to introduce you to someone at the party and help facilitate a short conversation.
Pick someone at the party who seems friendly and approachable. Introduce yourself.
Identify a non-intimidating group of people at the party and approach them. You don’t need to make a big entrance. Just join the group and listen to the conversation. Make a comment or two if you’d like, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself.
Join another friendly, approachable group. This time, try to participate a bit more in the conversation.
More tips for developing social confidence
Fake it ’til you make it. Acting as if you’re confident can make you feel more confident.
Focus externally, not internally. Instead of worrying about how you’re coming across or what you’re going to say, switch your focus from yourself to the other person. You’ll live more in the moment and you’ll feel less self-conscious.
Laugh at yourself. If you do something embarrassing, use humor to put things in perspective. Laugh, learn, and move on.
Do things to help others or brighten another person’s day. It can be something as small as a compliment or smile. When you spread positivity, you’ll feel better about yourself.
Tips for making conversation
Some people seem to instinctively know how to start a conversation with anyone, in any place. If you’re not one of these lucky types, these tips will help you start talking when you first meet someone:
Here are some easy ways to engage in conversation with someone new
Remark on the surroundings or occasion. If you’re at a party, for example, you could comment on the venue, the catering, or the music in a positive way. “I love this song,” “The food’s great. Have you tried the chicken?”
Ask an open-ended question, one that requires more than just a yes or no answer. Adhere to the journalist’s credo and ask a question that begins with one of the 5 W’s (or 1 H): who, where, when, what, why, or how. For example, “Who do you know here?” “Where do you normally go on a Friday?” “When did you move here?” “What keeps you busy?” “Why did you decide to become a vegetarian?” “How is the wine?” Most people enjoy talking about themselves so asking a question is a good way to get a conversation started.
Use a compliment. For example, “I really like your purse, can I ask where you got it?” or “You look like you’ve done this before, can you tell me where I have to sign in?”
Note anything you have in common and ask a follow up question. “I play golf as well, what’s your favorite local course?” “My daughter went to that school, too, how does your son like it?”
Keep the conversation going with small talk. Don’t say something that’s obviously provocative and avoid heavy subjects such as politics or religion. Stick to light subjects like the weather, surroundings, and anything you have in common such as school, movies, or sports teams.
Listen effectively. Listening is not the same as waiting for your turn to talk. You can’t concentrate on what someone’s saying if you’re forming what you’re going to say next. One of the keys to effective communication is to focus fully on the speaker and show interest in what’s being said. Nod occasionally, smile at the person, and make sure your posture is open and inviting. Encourage the speaker to continue with small verbal cues like “yes” or “uh huh.”
What to do when social situations tire you out
There’s a common misconception that introverts aren’t social. In fact, introverts can be just as social as extroverts. The difference between the two is that introverts lose energy when they’re around people and recharge by spending time alone, while extroverts gain energy by spending time with other people.
What this means is that even socially confident introverts will feel tired after a lot of socializing. It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you or that you’re incapable of having a fulfilling social life. You just need to understand your limits and plan accordingly.
Don’t overcommit. It’s okay to turn down social invitations because you need a break or schedule downtime after socializing. After a fun Saturday out with friends, for example, you may need to spend Sunday alone to rest and recharge.
Take mini-breaks. There will be times when you’re feeling drained, but you can’t leave the situation for extended alone time. Maybe you’re at a busy work convention, you’re on a getaway with friends, or you’re visiting family for the holidays. In these circumstances, try to find time to slip away to a quiet corner when it wouldn’t be seen as rude. Even 10 or 15 minutes here and there can make a big difference.
Talk to your family and friends about your alone-time needs. Be up front about the fact that socializing drains you. It’s nothing to be ashamed about, and trying to hide it will only add to your social exhaustion. Good friends will be sympathetic and willing to accommodate your needs.
Dealing with social setbacks and rejection
As you put yourself out there socially, there will be times when you feel judged or rejected. Maybe you reached out to someone, but they didn’t seem interested in having a conversation or starting a friendship.
There’s no question: rejection feels bad. But it’s important to remember that it’s part of life. Not everyone you approach will be receptive to starting a conversation, let alone becoming friends. Just like dating, meeting new people inevitably comes with some element of rejection. The following tips will help you have an easier time with social setbacks:
Try not to take things too personally. The other person may be having a bad day, be distracted by other problems, or just not be in a talkative mood. Always remember that rejection has just as much to do with the other person as it does with you.
Keep things in perspective. Someone else’s opinion doesn’t define you, and it doesn’t mean that no one else will be interested in being your friend. Learn from the experience and try again.
Don’t dwell on mistakes. Even if you said something you regret, for example, it’s unlikely that the other person will remember it after a short time. Stay positive; refrain from labeling yourself a failure, or from telling yourself that you’ll never be able to make friends. The very shyest people do, and so will you.
Helpful links
Support tips for everyday living
15 things to do if you are feeling lonely
10 things to do if you feel lonely
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