💬 Small Talk

It’s ABSOLUTELY FINE to be awk AF.

Good morning!

How’s the weather for you?

It’s shaping up to be a hot and muggy one today on my end.

How was your weekend?

Mine ended up being lovely.

Annnnnnnd, thus concludes the two topics of small talk that will be directed to you by everyone you see, if you work in an office: Discussing the Weather and Exchanging Weekend Stories.

I have to make a confession: I am just NOT good at this kind of chitchat.

Particularly the “How was your weekend?” question...I never know how much or how little detail to give. I got to the point of just saying “It was great! How was yours?” - eg. immediately redirecting the question like I was in a stressful tennis match.

My sense of physical cues isn’t awesome either. Thinking of the woman I accidentally high-fived in an elevator when she simply was raising her hand to press the “close” button. LOL.

You know what I learned?

It’s ABSOLUTELY FINE to be awk AF.

Many people also don’t enjoy small talk…They might be RELIEVED to find someone to shut the f*ck up with!

Just imagine that the next time there’s a pause. What if you just…didn’t fill that pause?

You’ll always be able to find other ways of expressing yourself besides chit-chatting, if that isn’t your thing.

You might also find, like me, that when you really like a person or you’re deeply interested in something, suddenly your words come out like a breathless flood. You can actually use your hyper-fixation as a way easing your social anxiety enough to start a conversation. (Bonus: this method doesn't involve alcohol).

On the other end of the spectrum, just because someone is quiet near you, it doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t like you or aren’t interested in things. It just might not be their way of showing it.

In the end, you’ll always be “too much” or “not enough” for some people. It’s just the way it goes.

But for a lucky few - you are “just right.” For some, you are the unicorn they were hoping to find/meet/hire/be friends with.

Have faith..your tribe is out there.

Got any super awkward anecdotes? Reply and share them because we all get a little awk sometimes :)

Cathy

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