Since I started college I began to know a lot of new people. I don’t consider myself a timid or introvert person. When I am with my friends I’m always inside the conversation and contributing to it. Even with some groups of people who I didn’t know before I can perform well.
But there are other situations in which I just don’t know what to say, it’s like my brain stops working. Afterwards, I usually start to feel anxious when I feel that I have nothing to do there, which makes it even more complicated.
Maybe there’s some kind of people I don’t fit in with? What would you do in this kind of situation?
2 comments
Silence is fine! You can agree with your head, giggle if the conversation is fun and just be a good listener. Say something when you are actually interested.
If you feel you are blocked, as you say, you can just leave the conversation for a minute and go to the bathroom or going outside with the excuse to make or receive a call. Once you are back, maybe the topic is different and you can participate.
Hope those can help!
Sounds weird, but practice. Think of topics/questions that will spark conversation so you have something in your back pocket when you need it. It gives you more confidence in yourself.
Otherwise, if you’re trying to get back into a conversation that’s happening, ask someone to explain more about that and empathize with them.
Person: “My job is really stressful lately”
You: “Why do you say your job is stressful?”
Person: “No one is doing what needs to be done.”
You: “That’s gotta be so difficult and frustrating to deal with.”