I have a few friends that I talk to, but I like to know what I can do to increase my circle and learn to be confident in my social skills.
Growing up, I was shy and awkward. This prevented me from making quality friends. It made me feel depressed and anxious, as I also struggled with social anxiety.
I am 26 and worry it’s too late for me. What can I do to have hope?
2 comments
It’s never too late.
Baby steps! Part of how I’ve been working on my social skills lately is by doing things like community service, where there’s a shared activity that you can always fall back on if a conversation starts to slow. So I get to practice my small talk and build my confidence, while also knowing I can get out easily if I feel too uncomfortable. You can do this in a lot of ways, whether it be community service, local clubs, exercise classes, skill classes (like pottery or something like that), anywhere where people gather.
Asking questions can be an awesome way to start or maintain conversations. “Your tattoo looks beautiful! Who’s the artist?” Try not to interview a person, but showing genuine interest makes folks feel welcome and valued in a conversation. But again, take it slow, you’re not going to become a social butterfly in a day – and that’s okay.