Is it possible to hone one’s social skills with very limited actual social interaction? Is it bound to happen that even the most talented ‘social butterflies’ will lose their social skills if they stop interacting with people (e.g. social isolation for months and years). What are your personal experiences / studies you know of with regards to this?

17 comments

  1. Yes, absolutely. A simple Google search of *what social isolation does to your brain* will bring you scientific research papers outlining all the various changes that occur in your brain after extended periods of social isolation. The aftermath of COVID lockdowns and social distancing have triggered social anxiety and agoraphobia in a lot of people.

    There was a [thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/Healthygamergg/comments/1182hrq/has_anyone_else_gone_insane_from_isolation/) I came across on a mental health subreddit a while back of what a person experienced after extended periods of social isolation.

  2. Think of social skills like a muscle. The more you practice it the stronger they’ll be, the less you practice the weaker it’ll be and can even deteriorate. After I left college I was disconnected from most of my friends. Went through half my twenties with minimal social interaction outside of work. Then just as I thought I was rebounding, covid hit. I’m in the best place socially since leaving college now, but my social anxiety at times is worse than ever. Something I’m still working on

  3. Yes, it’s absolutely normal. I had it after covid. Couldn’t talk to anyone without stuttering at least a little bit or my face turning bright red like a tomato just from making eye contact

  7. Absolutely! I’m currently rebuilding my social skills after a long stint isolating & Grey-Rocking…

  8. I was a social butterfly before Covid and I did notice my social skills decline after not doing too much for 9 months or so.

    It’s better now but I still don’t socialize as much as I used to.

  10. I’ve struggled with talking to men ever since high school to the point where I just straight up avoided it. I really wish I didn’t do that. I’ve graduated college now and still have the issue. At work, I’m instructed to come into the office two times a week, luckily we don’t have assigned seating when we go to the office so I never sit with my co-workers who are all men. I have no issue doing it online but when it comes to real life, I just can’t. It really sucks when my girlfriends bring guys friends to hang out and I struggle so much with talking to them that I come off as rude and unfriendly. I’ve been trying to fix it slowly not that I don’t have to worry about school, assignments, and exams anymore but I hasn’t been easy. I’m thinking about seeking therapy for it.

  11. Yes

    I was never a social butterfly. I’ve always kinda been a little awkward and shy. But I learned how to fake it.

    But I noticed after my maternity leaves I went back to being all awkward again. Then I stopped working and it got worst. Then Covid happened and it got even more worst… (I know that’s not proper grammar).

    Now I just embrace my awkwardness. But I feel bad for my kids… I worry I embarrass them.

  12. yeah it’s normal. i felt intellectually like i was at a high level and could handle any situation but after 10 years in a dead end job with little mental stimulation i feel like i often say the wrong things now. i feel like people i see as potential friends look down on me cuz my whole personality is like dumbed down and faded.

  17. 100%. It’s happened to me. I feel like I flip flop between being socially capable and extremely awkward depending on how much I’ve been socializing.

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