Being Social When You Don't Feel Like It
There are some of us who are naturally introverts and those who dodge social situations. While others enjoy being social, some people just don't feel like it. Unfortunately, there will be times when both in your personal and professional life when you have to do it whether you like it or not. Of course, it is not that easy to tell yourself that you have to do it when your mind and your body don't want to hear it. It's far more effective to know what the true reason is.
It is possible that you lack solid social skills or you are just probably tired, or you're avoiding someone or you're just shy. Or maybe you don't know anyone who will be at the gathering or you're wary of conflict. Whatever the reason is, it is much easier to overcome once you know what it is.
Be Social
Here are some mood strategies that will get you in the social mood:
Energy Fix!
So, you're tired and that is understandable. Most of us can relate to that feeling but there are times when this is not just an option. What can you do? First, take a quick nap or maybe have a caffeine fix this is tried and definitely a true energy fix. You can also drink a glass of water and then keep drinking throughout your social event to stay hydrated because your tiredness can also because of dehydration. On the other hand, you might have not eaten yet and this is why you lack energy.
Oh, The People!
There are times when you don't feel sociable because you don't feel like it because of the people who will be there. Well, this is a bit harder to fix but it can be fixed. If you are trying to avoid a person or a group of people, you can go with a friend. When it comes to minimizing the conversation with someone, you can do this by choosing to have a conversation with someone else. Make sure that you keep some distance and keep busy. Try offering to help the organizer so that you have an excuse not to engage and make sure that you have an exit plan ready. If you get in an uncomfortable situation, you can pull out your exit excuse and head for the door.
On the other hand, it may not be the person but the conflict that you dread. Again, it is great if you are with someone. In the case if a conflict arise, have someone else to run interference or help diffuse a tense situation.
Now, if you get into the situation when you should socialize at an event where you don't know anyone, this can be uncomfortable. The first thing that you can do here is to reframe it as an opportunity to expand your social sphere. By this, you can meet a lot of new people and widen your network. Choose someone who looks interesting, sounds interesting or act in a friendly manner and introduce yourself.
Your Personality
If you are an introvert, there's nothing that you can do to make you an extrovert but you have the ability to increase your comfort level in social situations. For introverts, socializing may cause a great deal of anxiety or it can simply be draining.
One of the best things to do here is choose your atmosphere if you can try to socialize in quieter environments without so much noise and activity. Also, if you can, choose a place that you are familiar with. If you are already comfortable with the place, the actual conversation and interaction won't feel so intimidating.
When you don't feel like being social but you have you, you can always shift your mood by finding out what the reason is and taking steps to mitigate it. You might still not enjoy being social, but it can make it a bit less uncomfortable.
There are some of us who are naturally introverts and those who dodge social situations. While others enjoy being social, some people just don't feel like it. Unfortunately, there will be times when both in your personal and professional life when you have to do it whether you like it or not. Of course, it is not that easy to tell yourself that you have to do it when your mind and your body don't want to hear it. It's far more effective to know what the true reason is.
It is possible that you lack solid social skills or you are just probably tired, or you're avoiding someone or you're just shy. Or maybe you don't know anyone who will be at the gathering or you're wary of conflict. Whatever the reason is, it is much easier to overcome once you know what it is.
Be Social
Here are some mood strategies that will get you in the social mood:
Energy Fix!
So, you're tired and that is understandable. Most of us can relate to that feeling but there are times when this is not just an option. What can you do? First, take a quick nap or maybe have a caffeine fix this is tried and definitely a true energy fix. You can also drink a glass of water and then keep drinking throughout your social event to stay hydrated because your tiredness can also because of dehydration. On the other hand, you might have not eaten yet and this is why you lack energy.
Oh, The People!
There are times when you don't feel sociable because you don't feel like it because of the people who will be there. Well, this is a bit harder to fix but it can be fixed. If you are trying to avoid a person or a group of people, you can go with a friend. When it comes to minimizing the conversation with someone, you can do this by choosing to have a conversation with someone else. Make sure that you keep some distance and keep busy. Try offering to help the organizer so that you have an excuse not to engage and make sure that you have an exit plan ready. If you get in an uncomfortable situation, you can pull out your exit excuse and head for the door.
On the other hand, it may not be the person but the conflict that you dread. Again, it is great if you are with someone. In the case if a conflict arise, have someone else to run interference or help diffuse a tense situation.
Now, if you get into the situation when you should socialize at an event where you don't know anyone, this can be uncomfortable. The first thing that you can do here is to reframe it as an opportunity to expand your social sphere. By this, you can meet a lot of new people and widen your network. Choose someone who looks interesting, sounds interesting or act in a friendly manner and introduce yourself.
Your Personality
If you are an introvert, there's nothing that you can do to make you an extrovert but you have the ability to increase your comfort level in social situations. For introverts, socializing may cause a great deal of anxiety or it can simply be draining.
One of the best things to do here is choose your atmosphere if you can try to socialize in quieter environments without so much noise and activity. Also, if you can, choose a place that you are familiar with. If you are already comfortable with the place, the actual conversation and interaction won't feel so intimidating.
When you don't feel like being social but you have you, you can always shift your mood by finding out what the reason is and taking steps to mitigate it. You might still not enjoy being social, but it can make it a bit less uncomfortable.