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Have you ever been in a situation where you feel like everyone else is having fun, but you don’t feel comfortable or included?
Do you find yourself stumbling over your words and wondering why it’s hard to maintain conversations with others?
If so, you may be socially awkward.
There are many negative connotations surrounding the word ‘awkward’, but being socially awkward is a widespread experience.
And understanding why you might be feeling this way can help you take steps to feel more confident in social situations.
What Does it Mean to be Socially Awkward?
Asking yourself, ‘am I socially awkward?’ first requires understanding what it means to be ‘socially awkward.’
Being socially awkward is when you feel uncomfortable or out of place in social situations. This can manifest itself in various ways that people will experience differently.
It can be frustrating and make it challenging to participate in conversations and have meaningful interactions with others.
Is it the Same as Having Social Anxiety?
Being socially awkward and having social anxiety are two different things.
Social anxiety generally occurs when a person is overly concerned about what other people think of them or is too worried to take risks in social situations.
On the other hand, socially awkwardness can be seen as an inability to ‘read’ the room and respond accordingly. It doesn’t necessarily mean that a person is anxious in social situations but may feel out of place or uncomfortable.
Signs You Might Have Social Anxiety
Social anxiety is an anxiety disorder that can become debilitating if left untreated. According to the NIMH, “SAD affects 15 million adults or 7.1% of the U.S. population.”
If you have social anxiety, you’ll likely experience an intense fear of being judged or embarrassed in social situations. You may also feel overwhelmed by crowds, and meeting new people can be daunting.
Other signs of social anxiety include avoiding conversations, feelings of panic when talking to someone new, and difficulty making friends.
Therapy is crucial for understanding and managing social anxiety; many different types can help.
Many people suffering from this anxiety disorder find online therapy a helpful option as it allows you to access treatment from the comfort of your home.
5 Signs You Might Be Socially Awkward
If you’re asking yourself, ‘am I socially awkward?’ then there are likely some tell-tale signs that can help you get to the bottom.
#1 You Feel Intimidated by Others
Do you get nervous when meeting new people or attending large gatherings?
Do these feelings of anxiety prevent you from fully engaging in conversations or participating in activities?
If so, this could mean you feel intimidated by others and their perceived superiority. This feeling of being overwhelmed can lead to social awkwardness.
#2 You Find It Difficult to Maintain Conversations
Maybe your conversations start OK but then quickly fizzle as soon as someone else takes the lead.
Or perhaps your conversations never really take off due to self-doubt or lack of confidence.
If this describes your interactions with people, it might signify that you are socially awkward. Feeling left behind or unable to contribute can be challenging and make you feel isolated.
#3 You Struggle With Eye Contact
Eye contact is an important part of communication, yet many socially awkward people find it difficult to maintain eye contact during conversations.
This is because they often view themselves as inferior, which causes them to become uncomfortable when making direct eye contact with others.
#4 You Feel Excluded From Groups
Do you ever feel like an outsider when hanging out with a group of friends?
Do they seem more interested in talking amongst themselves than including you in their conversations?
If so, this could be a sign that you are not comfortable enough around them for them to bring up topics for discussion. This is a common problem for socially awkward people and may even lead them to avoid socializing altogether if left unchecked.
#5 You Avoid Small Talk at All Costs
Are small talk and idle chit-chat something that makes your skin crawl?
Do these interactions make it hard for you to relax and “be yourself” around other people?
If so, this could be a sign that deep down inside, there is a fear of rejection or exclusion eating away at your confidence levels and causing social discomfort or anxiety.
How to Overcome Social Awkwardness
If you recognize any signs of social awkwardness listed above, it’s essential to acknowledge that there is a problem. The first step towards overcoming this issue is understanding why and how it can be addressed.
Therapy is arguably the best approach for dealing with underlying feelings of anxiety or insecurity and can help you to build self-confidence. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is particularly effective as it teaches you skills for managing difficult situations.
It’s also essential to practice socializing with others. This might mean joining a club or attending social events to make new friends or converse with strangers. Start by taking small steps and building up your confidence over time.
Putting yourself outside of your comfort zone and talking to new people can be scary, but it’s a great way to improve your social skills and become more comfortable in social settings.
However, it’s important not to push yourself too much or take on too many new challenges at once. If a conversation is not going well, don’t be afraid to call it a day and focus on what went right rather than dwelling on the negatives.
Practicing self-care is also essential for dealing with social anxiety and social awkwardness. Taking regular breaks from your busy schedule and engaging in activities that make you feel good can help to reduce stress and give you the energy to tackle new challenges.
Finally, don’t forget to be kind to yourself. Many socially awkward people beat themselves up for their perceived shortcomings, but this is not helpful and can worsen the problem.
Remember that social awkwardness is something that many experience, so it’s essential to be patient and give yourself time to grow and develop.
With determination and self-confidence, you can overcome social awkwardness and enjoy having meaningful conversations with others.
Final Thoughts: Am I Socially Awkward? How Can I Help Myself?
If you recognize any of the signs of social awkwardness listed above, it could be helpful to take steps toward improving your social skills and becoming more comfortable in social situations.
Therapy can help you to work through underlying anxieties or insecurities that could be causing or contributing to your sense of discomfort. Practicing self-care and pushing yourself to engage in new conversations or activities can also help you to build confidence.
Most importantly, don’t forget to be kind and patient with yourself as you work through this issue.
Social awkwardness is something that many people experience, so it’s important not to get too frustrated with the process of improving your social skills.
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