If you are an introvert, it gets quite difficult to make friends. Most of the time, you feel anxious when you are in the open during a social situation. Being an introvert does not mean we want to spend our whole lives in isolation. We do want to make friends but sometimes due to our personality or certain social situations, it is difficult to. Here’s how to make friends as an introvert with social anxiety.
How To Make Friends As An Introvert With Social Anxiety (7 Ways That Will Work)
Making friends can be difficult especially when your heart is pounding through your chest and there is a knot in your whole body during. Taking deep breaths can help during these scenarios. However, introverts are most comfortable when they are in their element and there are only a few conventions where that is possible. That being said, there are some tips which can help you make friends easier.
Take Part In Like-Minded Activities
An introvert’s hobbies are quite dear to them and if you can share that with people who are of the same opinion and then you will make friends easier. Participate in things that you like in public or in any social gathering. It will take an ounce of courage but you have to be ready to get embarrassed if you want to make friends.
Use Social Media
There are tons of banes surrounding the socials. But there is one boon, you get to make friends without the social pressure and also allows for fluent and intimate conversations. Participate in group discussions/group chats, post something about yourself or your hobbies, find your people on those socials. You will have to try lots of times but atleast you won’t have to face the pressure of social situations.
The Coffee Shop Tactic
Okay, this one might be a long shot but just might work if you get lucky. There is this tactic hovering around social media about people reading books in a coffee shop and waiting for others to approach. While the chances of that happening are low, it will definitely increase your self confidence. Reading in a coffee shop on your own will ensure that you are comfortable in open spaces. You never know if a person takes interest in what you are reading.
Take A Class
Taking a class and being in a room full of people who share the same interest as you can do wonders for your social life. This might coincide with the 7th tip but it is an extension of it. Taking a class is planned and scheduled while participating in like-minded activities can occur anywhere ranging from a trip to a party.
Use Your Extrovert Friend As A Crutch
When attending a social convention, stick by your extrovert friend. Follow them around, you will make at least one or two friends. The energy of extroverts naturally allows them to shine in social situations. Borrowing their likeness and using them like a beacon can help you make more friends in those situations.
Meet Friends Of Your Friends
A lot of our friends talk about some of their friends and casually bring them up in conversations. Why not ask them to introduce you to their friends? Plus, you wouldn’t even have to hype yourself up since you will know what they are like based on how your friend talks about them. Ensure that the environment is open, like a coffee shop or a restaurant for the first time, since it creates a nice vibe for everyone to enjoy.
Be True To Yourself
Being yourself isn’t just a mantra that self improvement gurus advertise. The truth is, being fake and pretentious will make you tons of acquaintances but not true friends. Being your truest will yield you the best quality of friends. And ensure that you maintain this true form of yourself when you meet new people as well. This will help the person opposite you read what you are. Faking personalities will mean that they will never be able to pinpoint who you are as a person.
Bonus Tip: Address Others Casually And Be Open To Conversations
Addressing other folks casually will immediately revoke any formality between you and other people. However, be respectful of their boundaries and if you can see that it isn’t going well then it is good to back off. Also, be open to conversations even if they are outside your comfort zone or expertise. You will get to learn a lot about how people think and act in social situations.
The Verdict
These are the best tips on how to make friends as an introvert with social anxiety. Try all of these methods and see how you will soon make more friends in your life. Meeting people is a big deal for most introverts. However, you have to be willing to not take yourselves too seriously for it to work out for the best. Everything else will sort itself out. The result depends on your effort and how authentic you are.
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