I tend to act pretty awkwardly in public. I know it’s probably partly in my head, but I feel people do notice and people do judge me sometimes. I’m autistic which probably has a fair amount to do with the way I act, but it’s honestly just embarrassing and I want to stop.

Aside from taking care of my appearance, how can I modify my behaviour to be less awkward when around other people?

3 comments

  1. You expressed that you’re aware it’s partly mental, and I do want to start with that: It’s absolutely *mostly* in your head. I know it feels like people are staring and judging and thinking about you, but the truth is most everyone is in their own little world. People tend to think about themselves and not much else. 🙂

    That said, think about what makes you feel awkward.

    Is it your small talk? Your body language? Tackle one thing at a time, and practice. If you don’t make enough eye contact, practice holding someone’s eyes in conversation. If you quickly run out of things to say, come up with a little flexible ‘script’ for yourself and practice it on someone.

    Also know that you are wonderful the way you are. All people are different. As long as you are kind and civil, you’re not doing anything wrong by being awkward. Being you is not wrong. Don’t feel like you have to change yourself in any fundamental way to fit in. I have learned that I am awkward, and while I try not to make anyone else uncomfortable, I just embrace it. Awkward is part of who I am. 🙂

  2. Here’s a youtube channel that gives you specific things you can do.

    [https://youtu.be/8uYzAaQR-jw?si=q5kZQ3vAvmEdao8x](https://youtu.be/8uYzAaQR-jw?si=q5kZQ3vAvmEdao8x)

    You’re autistic. Some people do notice and judge you. Don’t worry about those people, because they’re rude. Worry about the ones who aren’t biased against autistic people, and learn social skills for their sake.

    Social skills are skills you can learn consciously, so you can get to the point where people can’t tell you’re autistic.

    Here’s a book by an autistic man explaining all of the social skills he had to consciously learn.

    [improveyoursocialskills.com](https://improveyoursocialskills.com)

    I hope this helps

  3. What type of things do you do?
    Do you think these are things that if you’d feel comfortable, you would be able to control?

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