27 Secrets and a 20-Point Checklist for Weird People About Not Being Weird

Not everyone can walk into a room and be as calm and confident as they come. Some of us are just weird. Here’s how not to be awkward.

Have you ever walked into a room and suddenly felt like every eye was on you? In that moment, you forget how to walk normally, and when you open your mouth, the most absurd thing comes out. It’s as if your brain and body have conspired to make sure you stand out for all the wrong reasons. Welcome to the world of feeling weird, a place we’ve all been to at some point.

science of social awkwardness

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of various strategies for how not to be awkward or how to avoid being awkward, it’s important to understand what actually makes us feel that way.

The science behind social awkwardness is as fascinating as it is complex, involving a mix of psychological, neuroscience, and sociological elements.

Starting from a psychological perspective, a significant factor contributing to feelings of awkwardness is social anxiety. This anxiety stems from the fear of being negatively judged or criticized in social situations.

Sometimes, being overly self-conscious, or hyper-aware, can make us overly conscious of our actions and words, leading to that all-too-familiar awkward feeling.

On the neurological front, our brain plays an important role in how we process social interactions. Brain chemistry and social cognition – how we perceive, interpret and respond to social cues – are key factors.

Studies have shown that certain areas of the brain are more active in individuals who experience high levels of social anxiety and awkwardness. This increased activity can affect the way we engage in social scenarios, sometimes causing us to misinterpret signals or overthink our reactions.

Then there is the sociological aspect. Our environment and the cultural context in which we grow up greatly influence our social interactions and norms. What is considered normal in one culture may be considered strange in another.

These differing norms can make navigating social landscapes difficult, especially in our increasingly globalized world. Social expectations also play a role. When we feel pressure to act or communicate in a certain way, the fear of not living up to these standards can increase feelings of awkwardness.

weirdness checklist

If you’re not sure whether you’re a socially awkward person or if you often wonder how not to be awkward in social situations, recognizing some common signs can be a big help.

It’s all about understanding what happens inside you and how it may appear to others. Let’s look at these indicators – think of them as little flags that signal, “Hey, this might be weird.”

1. Do you find small talk uncomfortably challenging?

Small talk is an informal form of conversation, but for some people it feels like climbing a high mountain. If you often feel nervous or at a loss for words when initiating or maintaining these light exchanges, this may be a sign of social awkwardness.

2. Are you often unsure about when to enter or exit a conversation?

Timing is important in conversation. If you regularly struggle with knowing when to speak up in conversation or how to exit politely without seeming abrupt or rude, this may be a sign of awkwardness. It’s like having the feeling of being either one step behind or ahead in the rhythm of the conversation.

3. Do you often misinterpret social cues?

Misreading body language, tone of voice or facial expressions can lead to misunderstandings. If you often find yourself surprised by others’ reactions or can’t tell when someone is joking or being serious, this may point to social awkwardness. It’s like trying to understand a language of which you only know half the words.

4. Are you overly concerned about others’ opinions of you?

5. Do you overanalyze your social interactions afterward?

Do you replay the conversation in your mind, thinking, “I shouldn’t have said that!” Or “What if I come across like this…?” It’s common for people who feel socially awkward to overanalyze their words and actions for hours after a social event is over.

If you often get stuck in a cycle of examining your past relationships, analyzing every detail, and questioning your choices, it may be a sign of social awkwardness.

6. Do you feel overwhelmed by large groups or crowded events?

7. Do you have trouble maintaining eye contact?

Eye contact is a key component of effective communication. If you find it difficult to maintain eye contact, constantly looking away or down, this may be a sign of social awkwardness.

8. Are you often misunderstood in social settings?

If you often notice that people misinterpret your words or intentions, leading to awkward situations, this could be an indicator. This is not just an occasional misunderstanding; This is a recurring pattern where your attempts at humor, sarcasm, or even sincerity land the wrong way.

9. Do you rely too much on scripts or pre-planned responses?

Relying on memorized scripts or rehearsed responses during conversations may be a sign of social awkwardness. This is an attempt to control the unpredictable nature of the conversation, but it often leads to stilted or out-of-context responses.

10. Are you uncomfortable with physical gestures like handshakes or hugs?

Are you uncomfortable with physical gestures like handshakes or hugs? You’re probably familiar with that awkward, awkward partial hug or hesitant handshake that ends up feeling clumsy. This hesitation or discomfort with normal body language in social interactions is often a sign of social awkwardness.

If you often find yourself fidgeting in arms when hugging or unsure of how firmly to shake someone’s hand, this may point to your struggle with these everyday interactions.

How to stop your strange habits

Although being awkward can be attractive in some situations, there are other situations where being awkward can make things much more difficult for you – like when you want to pick up that attractive person at the bar.

1. Admit that you are socially awkward

Don’t pretend and behave as if you’re not socially awkward. No, it is not a natural phenomenon for you to sweat excessively whenever you walk into a room. Now it’s time for you to accept this to yourself. But lucky for you, you can actually change it.

1. Be confident with yourself

Much of a person’s awkwardness stems from being unsure and shy. So in order not to be awkward, be more confident in your actions and confident in what you say. Don’t blindly comment on a topic you’re unsure about because if you’re wrong, it will be awkward.

2. Don’t immediately intervene in the conversation

If you overhear a conversation and think you might have something to contribute, don’t just interrupt and comment on it. Not only will you interrupt the person talking, but you will also clearly announce your presence and this can be quite awkward.

Instead, approach a group of people slowly and wait patiently for the other person to talk. If you still think your comment is relevant, wait a while and then make your point.

3. Tell us about events early

There is nothing that makes a person feel more awkward than attending a very loud event even though everyone is already there. Your attention will immediately be drawn to walking through the door and it will create a major awkward moment – ​​not to mention what would happen if you tripped!

4. Keep your phone with you at all times

A cell phone is a lifesaver for a strange person. Not only will you be able to escape if you’re standing there alone, but you’ll also be able to use your phone for new topics of conversation. It’s like a buffer tool between you and your awesomeness.

5. Find out what environments make you socially awkward

What environments trigger your social anxiety? Large group of people? Small, intimate gatherings? You have to know the triggers so you know what you need to work on. So, the next time you are at a party or event, you can become self-aware of your body and mental state.

6. No one actually remembers

Okay, I know it sounds weird, but you have to understand that no one really cares what you have to say. Like, no one remembers when you made a comment about Britney Spears’ music.

7. Don’t aim for success

Don’t try to aim for success. Instead, look at it as a learning experience on how to avoid being socially awkward.

It’s not a one-time thing that you do once and then you’re socially connected for the rest of your life. It will take you a lot of time to develop this.

8. Break out of the negative cycle

Being socially awkward is a mental thing. You think you’ll mess up, say something stupid and people will hate you – I know the whole thing.

But you have to get yourself out of that negative cycle because it’s not working for you. Sometimes pretending you’re not until you become is the worst thing you can do.

9. Write it down

You can’t keep your emotions bottled up inside you…you need an outlet. So, write down your feelings in a journal.

10. Practice

Yes yes yes. I know you have painful memories of your parents lecturing you about practicing the flute, but seriously, they were right.

you have to practice. So, ask your friends to bring you to parties or events. The only way you can practice is to actually go outside.

11. Remind yourself of social norms

If you’re worried about not meeting social norms, it’s a good idea to remind yourself of them. I mean, what’s the right way to act at a party?

12. Leave your house

How can you practice socializing if you won’t leave your house? No, playing online video games does not count. So, you have to make a pledge to yourself that you will go out to a function at least once a week. I don’t care where you go, as long as you get to socialize.

13. It’s no big deal if you mess up

The thing about being socially awkward is that you’re worried about screwing up everything, and that’s why you’re awkward.

But listen, you won’t lose your job, your house, or your best friend. If anything, people will question what you just said and continue the conversation. you will live!

14. Don’t tell jokes to new people

Although it may seem easy to resolve a dispute with a good joke, chances are you will just make things more awkward.

15. Stop blabbering and ask questions instead

Talking too much is a common mistake that most awkward people make. Instead of ignoring someone, ask them questions about the topic they’re talking about and listen to them instead.

16. Be friendly!

17. Forget your awkwardness

Nothing will make you feel or behave more weird than you are. Funny how it works, isn’t it? So forget the fact that you are weird and be yourself.

18. Think about the positive aspects about yourself

Focusing on your negative, weird tendencies will only make matters worse. Instead, think about all the great qualities you offer people. You’re smart, funny, and kind – all of which stand out more than your awkwardness.

19. Let awkward silences remain silent

Don’t be the person who breaks the awkward silence – especially by pointing out that it’s really awkward. Instead simply maintain your silence and wait for the other person to bring up a new topic of discussion. You will remove any strange attention from yourself and change will happen…