The Dreaded Small Talk

If you are anything like me, you dread the words “small talk.” The words themselves cause me severe anxiety. Oh, I have to actually talk with people, they are surely going to see my inadequacies. Here I go with those negative thoughts again!

The problem for people with social anxiety is that we keep our masks on all the time. We shield ourselves with a barrier, thinking only of protecting our feelings. By doing that, we look “stuck up” to people. Unapproachable. Arrogant. When in fact it is the complete opposite.

So, we need to learn how to converse with people. Scary words, I know, but we must in order to overcome social anxiety.

If you happen to be in a position where you have to talk with someone, start out by keeping the conversation light. Pick something you are comfortable with like:

• Your interests or hobbies
• A book you've been reading
• A movie you've seen or want to see
• What you do for a living

When the other person is talking, really listen. That sounds obvious to some people, but when my anxiety gets too high, all I hear are the negative thoughts in my head, not what the other person is saying.

And remember:

• You are just as important as the next person!
• You have just as much right to speak as the next person!

Read it and believe it!

Until next time...