Well that was awkward…
If there's anyone qualified to talk about navigating awkward experinces it's ya boy right here. I've been there before, several times actually. In my experience however, I've realized that about 95% of awkward expeinces can either be avoided or salvaged and brought back to acceptable human interaction. I don't know why I'm so awkward all the time, literally anyime I speak to someone I really don't know like that I've got to come prepared. Prepared meaning comming with default responses designed to fill dead silence. Now admittedly as I've gotten older, silence isn't so bad. Sometimes there really isn't anything to say, BUT oh ho ho ho there are deffinetly times where you can tell youself and whoever the hell else your engaging in this awkward experience with are grasping for any strand of conversation they can find. But lucky you, you anti - social ball of angst and fumbling fingers, I've got just what you need. FOUR guidelines that will take your human skills to the next level and help slay that awkward beast dwelling in your belly.
Turn Into The Spin
This is probably this most guideline, kick it off with a bang. What do you do to regain control of a car when you spin out? TURN INTO THE SPIN, the exact opposite of what your brains initial knee jerk reaction is. Your brain says run from the awkwardness, Jason says EMBRACE IT. So, when an awkward moment suddenly presents itself, your heart rate will quicken, your palms will sweat, your life may flash before your eyes, but don't panic. Approach the awkwardness head on!
Now admittedly this is best used in a situation that is obviously awkward. Like this is a do or die situation, like you just smacked a girl upside the head while you were trying to put your arm around her kind of awkard (oddly specific? well, becuase it actually happened). Don't act like it didn't happen because it obviously did, ignoring it confirms it as awkward. Make a joke out of it, say something sarcastic, but whatever you do DON'T SAY “oH WeLl ThAt WaS AwKwaRd”. Don't do that. That's a big no no.
Be PROACTIVE, not REACTIVE
This one is simple, if you can see in your minds eye that a situation be result in maximum-awkardness, STEER CLEAR. This one requires you to have some sort of idea of the kind of people your enganing in human interaction with. Like if you know sarcasm goes over someones head, don't be sarcastic with that person. They'll take you seriously and if your sacasam is anything like mine will think you a terrible person and probably never talk to you again. Super awkward. The best example of this is when your walking with someone, say bye, and then end up walking in the same direction. This is avoidable 100% of the time. You know you have to part ways, you know it could happen, so instead of diving into the unknown, say somehting like “Which way are going”, or “I'm parked over here”, never just say bye because they\’ll say bye and then ya\’ll will end up walking in the same direction.
Everybody has those days
Now, in movies, or TV awkward people get made fun of, or treated like dweebs or somehthing. In my experience real life isn't anything like that. EVERYONE has been through some sort of awkward experience before in their life. THat being said, it's clear to everyone when you do somehting awkward. That's what makes it awkward. Chances are the people sharing this experience with you feel just as awkward as you do.
Don't take yourself so seriously
Being a human, it can get really easy to get caught up in what you think other people think of you. In all honesty, regardless of what you do, someone is going to judge you. It's much easier to just be yourself. If somehting awkward happens keep it light hearted. Laugh at yourself, try to make it a joke. If you make a joke and they don't laugh, and it's still super awkward. Just run.
Taking advice on how to not be socially awkward from a socially awkward person…that should go well. If there's anything you get from this, it's that life is too short to take yourself too seriously. Enjoy yourself, enjoy being YOU. Enjoy all the werid things you do. You'll take some stress off your brain. I feel I'm begining to understand that life dosen't have to be so serious all the time. Between trying to get a job, classes, and existing I've been stuck on go for a while. Since graduation, I've gotten some time to work on myself and reflect on the important things in my life. Understanding what those important things are has helped keep me focused and concentrated. I'm starting to ramble, but I want these posts to contain some kind of substance. Hopefully you find something here of use! Until next time.
