Why Social Anxiety Makes You Awkward (And What To Do About It!)
anxiety journey awkward moment awkwardness coping with anxiety fear of rejection feeling unworthy release your self social anxiety struggles why social anxiety makes you awkward Aug 08, 2024
Ever feel like social anxiety turns you into an awkward mess? Like every conversation is filled with uncomfortable pauses and awkward silences? Before you decide that you're doomed to hide away forever, I’ve got good news: not only is awkwardness less catastrophic than you think, but overcoming it is entirely possible.
In this post, we’ll explore how social anxiety fuels that feeling of awkwardness and, more importantly, how you can break free from it so you can confidently be yourself in any social situation.
Social Anxiety = Awkwardness: Here’s Why
"Awkward equals afraid."
Let’s break it down: awkwardness isn’t just about not knowing what to say or fumbling over your words. At its core, awkwardness is driven by fear. The fear of being judged, rejected, or disliked. When you're anxious, your brain goes into overdrive, convincing you that the stakes are high in every conversation. One misstep, and you’ll be exposed as “unworthy” of friendship, love, or acceptance.
When social anxiety has you in its grip, even the smallest pause in conversation feels like death. You might freeze up and say nothing, or you might ramble on, trying to fill the silence. Either way, it feels excruciating.
The Root of Awkwardness: Fear of Rejection
"Every time you have a moment where you don’t know what to say, you confirm this deep, dark fear that there’s something wrong with me."
The real issue behind social anxiety isn’t the awkward moment itself—it’s the underlying fear that something is inherently wrong with you. When you don’t have the perfect response, your brain jumps to the worst possible conclusion: "I'm unlovable," or "I’m not good enough." This shame spiral makes even minor social hiccups feel like massive failures.
But here’s the truth: those awkward moments don’t mean there’s something wrong with you. They just mean you’re human. And humans aren’t perfect in every interaction.
How to Release Yourself from Awkwardness
"The key to releasing yourself from awkwardness is to release yourself from the need to control others."
One of the most powerful steps you can take to free yourself from awkwardness is to let go of the need to control how others perceive you. You don’t need to make everyone like you, and you don’t need to impress anyone to be okay.
Before your next social interaction, try this simple mantra: I don’t need to control anybody to feel safe. I’m okay just as I am. This mindset will help you stay grounded, reduce your anxiety, and allow you to navigate social moments more naturally.
You Are Not Your Fear—You’re Awesome
You don’t have to be perfect to be worthy of connection. And every awkward moment is an opportunity to remind yourself that you’re enough, just as you are. Social anxiety may create the feeling of awkwardness, but by addressing the fear beneath it, you can break free and confidently show up as yourself.
Remember, every step you take toward facing your fear helps you build a new data set of positive experiences. And with each experience, you’ll realize that awkwardness isn’t the catastrophe it seems—it's just another part of being human.
You've got this.
Reading blogs and watching videos online is a start...
When you are ready to radically transform your confidence so you speak up freely, boldly go after what you want, connect easily with others and be 100% unapologetically yourself, coaching is the answer.
Dr. Aziz Gazipura
Author
Dr. Aziz is the worldโs leading confidence expert. He helps people break free from hesitation, fear, and self-doubt so they can rapidly grow their businesses, become more powerful leaders, and enjoy outstanding relationships.
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