Hello, my fellow "awkward extroverts,"
Since there is no official term that has been coined to describe ourselves, I feel like this title is good enough. If you're anything like me, it's probably been rough feeling like you're stuck in the middle between being an extremely talkative, friendly person who loves spending time with people to biting your nails, blushing and avoiding those who make you feel "uncomfortable."
I have definitely been in that position. In fact, I've never not been in that position. I can't say that I'm exactly shy. It's more like a deficiency in not knowing what to say, how to say it, and how it would make me look if I did say it, which results in keeping my mouth closed.
If you're even more like me, you may have had a lot of awkward moments in your life when you chose to open your mouth. You may have thought (or even over thought) about what you were going to say, and it didn't come out just right.
I know it's especially difficult if most of your friends or peers are more outgoing than you are. Everything they say is smooth, funny and makes perfect sense. You may ask, "Why can't it come that easy for me?" Well, I'm here to give you a little bit more reassurance about it.
While I don't have a solution to this problem, I do have some advice on how to embrace your awkward extroversion to the best of your abilities.
Tip #1: Don't let it get you down.
As easy as this piece of advice may sound, it's 100 percent true; don't let it get you down! I have had times where I felt that I had made or could make things so awkward that I have avoided situations altogether. Truth is, that is not how to live your life. If you like doing something but avoid it because of your awkwardness, you're missing out. It's even worse when you feel awkward around a person and don't get to know them because you're afraid of how they may react to you. Don't do that! Things will not be as bad as you assume, I can promise you that.
Tip #2: Find other awkward extroverts to associate with.
This might be difficult at first, but hey, you're an extrovert ya know, embrace that part of you. While I have my share of fearless friends, I have been lucky enough to meet people who have the same issue as I do. These friends have become my confidants since they understand better than anyone else. Also, it's a lot of fun to share our awkward stories with them, since they can help you laugh it off later.
Tip #3: Learn to be OK with being yourself!
This may be the most important tip I can give you. Learn to love your awkward extroversion, as hard as that may be. It is a part of your personality and makes you who you are. Don't wish to be that outgoing girl in your biology class who can get all the guys and can smooth-talk the professor. She could have some traits you may not want to wish upon yourself.
I can promise you that awkward extroversion is not the end of the world. I've come to find that my awkwardness actually makes me kind of funny, so I embrace it. I'm positive you have so many other traits about yourself that you can accept, so make sure you recognize them and flaunt them!
