Over the last 10 years, I have done my own thing and have found myself spending most of my time online. I grew up really shy and found I have developed significant social skills in an online setting whether it was during online classes or just engaging with people online I felt like I had finally figured it out. I felt confident in any situation with anyone and always find I have something witty or humorous to say.
Until I recently started going to the gym with an old friend of mine and realized that I was not as good as I thought. I am super awkward in person (lack body language skills) and don’t have much to offer socially. I cannot attribute this to holding back what I want to say cause my mind is often just blank. I am very self-aware, and It’s painful how I feel like I come across to others. I find that a lot of the things I talk about to people online are not relevant or the individual I am talking to wouldn’t understand, so I opt to not say anything.
So yesterday he invited me to go out drinking with some people which I have never done. I am kinda nervous as I feel the awkward weird vibe would only be exaggerated in a situation as unfamiliar to me as drinking. Any tips on how to translate my skills from talking online to in person?