Any tips on how to improve Social Skills?

[Lj0011]

I would like to hear anyone else's story on how they improved their social skills? I'm introverted and do need recovery time but I also feel like I'm missing out in life because I have trouble with small talk in groups and talking to women. I don't like small talk because it feels so fake to me and theirs no authenticity, however I understand its important but jeez I don't like it. When I see a girl im attracted to the first thing that comes to my mind is im ugly asf and there's no way she will find me attractive so why bother? Dating apps tend to confirm this as well. Anyway I'd like to feel alive and not like I'm in the corner being passed all the time. Has anyone got tips for what worked for improving their social standing?

[Leapfrog00]

Alcohol. It might sound a bit extreme, but it opens people up and helps you communicate better. Just don't get hammered. One drink before you leave the house. Just enough to relax you and reduce the anxiousness.

Bad experiences with social awkwardness and lack of social interaction in elementary school and even high school is linked to social anxiety when you're older. If you don't like to drink, there are other tricks you could use.

When you want to talk to someone but feel the social anxiety appearing, take a stress ball and squeeze it. It transfers all the anxiety into the ball. I used to do this when public speaking. Another one that works is keep a journal and write in before you leave the house. Write everything down. Thoughts, feelings, and anything you think could go wrong if you run into someone and need or want to conversate.

I'm an introvert myself and honestly, I can't stand other people. Hate em with a passion! But I wouldn't recommend letting yourself get as bad as me. If you're not ready to quit, keep at it. The more people you talk to, the less awkward you will feel. It's all about practicing. Practice on a friend or someone. If you stutter, as people with social anxiety often do, make some videos of you talking about something and play them back and see how many times you stutter or say the word, um. Then practice cutting the word out and stuttering.

I've become an expert on this. I'm so shy and nervous, I make other people nervous! I would make coffee nervous if it talked! Good luck though!

[JoeMichael67]

Sorry to tell you this, but it doesn't go away, no matter how much you tell yourself you're going to try to act different. It's just who you are.

[Anonymous]

I know this might be too much for you, but honestly the best way is to make conversation with someone. Start simple first…maybe ask a cashier “how’s your day going?” And then slowly work yourself up. Maybe spark a conversation with a coworker. You have to do it to improve.

[exitseven]

I am probably the last one you want to listen to.