If you're reading this, you may be someone who identifies themselves as socially awkward. Here's the good news: you're not alone! At all. As a writer to the readers, I'm here to tell you myself that I'm just like you. Yup, I'm just as socially awkward as you may feel. Here's some more good news: being socially awkward isn't bad...at all. Sometimes it's even beneficial. You may be thinking I'm crazy for saying this, but before you judge, read on as to why being socially awkward is a blessing and a curse.
I'll admit it, being socially awkward isn't fun at all. In social events, you get anxious on where to hang out, how to stand, who to talk to. You get super nervous meeting new people for the first time. Your thoughts may shut down on you and you end up blabbering stuff that makes no sense when all the other person did was ask you your first name. Oops.
You low key dread the first day of class. Those stupid ice breakers where the teacher wants you to announce your name, your major, why you chose this class, a favorite pastime or hobby. Your heart skips several beats as it ends up being closer to your turn. Your face goes red, your voice stutters.
Your voice seems to sound different when talking to someone new for the first time. "Speak normal!" you think. "Stop being awkward. Stop fiddling with your fingers. Stand up straight and look the person in the eye. Just have a normal conversation for once!" You internally pray you don't end up accidentally saying something stupid on impulse.
You're probably reacting to all of what you just read right now...hopefully. You're sitting there thinking "Ok, I got the bad down. Now where could the good in this possibly be??"
Being socially awkward makes you an introvert. Your thoughts run on a tangent. You're super good at labeling who somebody is just by looking at them. You can tell fi they're quiet, nice, mean, your typical everyday "jock" or "bro" that you should try to avoid if you don't want to be judged.
You're extremely kind and loyal. You relate to people on any type of manner or scale. You know what it's like to battle that inner anxiety when it comes to social settings, so you try to give others a break because you just never know whether or not someone is comfortable in a situation.
Having anxiety in social settings is by far something no one enjoys dealing with. You get anxious and uncomfortable and you worry about almost anything. However, embrace it. Accept it. Don't try to change who you are, because it never works. But, you can choose to become a stronger individual. What I mean by that is go easy on yourself, take break, relax. Don't be so hard on yourself. Unleash your inner confidence that everyone else around you seems to radiate. Everyone else is doing it, why not you?
