LIFE

So you're an introvert: The idea of befriending someone new makes your heart pound, you prefer to spend your Friday nights watching Netflix alone and big parties just aren't your thing. Tbh, there are *tons* of pros to being on the introverted side—you're probs an amaze listener and have deeper and more meaningful conversations.  Plus, you know how to enjoy spending time alone, which is an incredible life skill.

But although appreciating your own company is awesome, putting yourself out of your comfort zone to make new friends is equally important. Just because your social battery is limited doesn't mean you can't have a good time. Follow these tips and you'll be able to survive *and* thrive at your next social hang. 

Chill out

Taking some chill time for yourself right before and after your event can make all the difference. Make sure to set aside a few minutes to do some deep breathing. Going into the event calm can help you feel more confident, and giving yourself the time to decompress after can re-energize you.

Set boundaries for yourself

Agreeing to go to a party or gathering doesn't mean you have to stay for five hours. You can always leave early if you start to feel socially exhausted. As an introvert, you may feel drained after a few meaningful convos, and it's important to acknowledge this. As soon as you start to feel socially worn out, thank the host and say bye to your pals.

Find a quiet spot

Once you're at the event, it may suddenly start to feel like too much. Feeling overwhelmed? Excuse yourself to the bathroom, or if it's a bigger event, find a quieter spot. Maybe it's a couch away from the crowd. And who knows? Maybe you'll make a new friend at the quiet spot—both avoiding the crowd, you'll already have so much in common!

Prep some convo starters

If you tend to struggle to keep convos going, consider prepping some ideas of what to talk about beforehand. Thinking of a few talking points to fall back on can prevent any stress about having awk convos. If you're going to a big party for the whole soccer team, you can plan on mentioning the upcoming tournament or how much fun the last team party was. And if all goes well, you might not even need your convo starters after all. 

Set goals

Think about whether you want to become more social—or if you just want to have a good time at a party. Once you decide on goals, not quite sure how to make 'em come true? Think of an affirmation to repeat to yourself in your head. If your goal is to radiate confidence, repeat "I am confident" in your head whenever you feel yourself start to struggle to meet your goals.

Practice, practice, practice!

Truly, the only way to survive parties as an introvert is to put it into practice. Sure, you may have some awkward situations, but the most important thing you can do is just keep moving forward. Keep pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, and if an invite pops up that sounds kind of fun but you're on the fence about going? Say yes! A little extra practice can't hurt!

For similar content, check out these related posts: 
💖  16 conversation starters to get even closer to your best friends 
💖  Quiz - are you an introvert or an extrovert?
💖 How to turn small talk into deeper friendships 
💖 8 ways to become more approachable and confident in 2022

Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Tell us on Twitter @girlslifemag!
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by Eva Mandelbaum | 6/18/2022