Have you ever had the feeling that you make people uncomfortable? There are people who have the same reactions as you when you feel uncomfortable in social settings. You may feel like you make everyone awkward.

In this article, we will discuss the top practices that might cause you or others to feel uneasy and make the situation unpleasant. In the end, read under our “Call to Action” heading to find related articles and courses to overcome this feeling of awkwardness.

 

It is vital to develop your ability to read nonverbal cues so that you can modify your actions as necessary. The following signs may point to someone feeling uncomfortable:

• If you are turning or avoiding eye contact. If you show unusual facial expressions such as pursed lips, furrowed brows, or growing.
• Giving brief answers can also make a person awkward as you show that you are interested.
• You may lower your arms or shoulders which shows a closed body language.
• If you speak in a loud tone.
• Foot tapping or fidgeting is also an awkward sign that you may be conveying to other people. Or if you are tense laughing, it may also make people uncomfortable.
• Take a minute to pause when you observe others doing these actions. Let us talk in detail that why you make people uncomfortable.

There are several factors that make you think that you make people uncomfortable. Some people find it challenging to engage with others because they feel awkward, timid, scared, or even have certain personality traits. Yet, you may pick up methods for managing your shyness or worry.

Let us look at the following factors that might be causing you to feel like this.

Anxiety Disorders

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder. There are around 7 million people who suffer from it. More than 3% of people fall within the category. Consider getting therapy if you think you might have an anxiety problem. It is more common in females as compared to males.
• Social Anxiety. Feeling like you make people uncomfortable might be the cause of your social shyness. Around 15 million people suffer from this worldwide. Women have a substantially higher risk of developing it.

As you can see, millions of people are impacted by anxiety issues. So, If you have a thought like “I feel like I make people uncomfortable or awkward”, I want to know why are thoughts that probably occur to a great number of people.

Further, look at the following points that may make other people awkward.

1. Interfering with the Privacy of Others

In your personal space, it seems as though a bubble is around you. Different people have varying tolerances for closeness they want to continue.. In particular, if they do not know you well, people could feel uncomfortable if you tend to stand close to them and lean in when you speak to them.

Then how can you tell if you are doing this? An obvious sign to take a step back is if someone begins to stand back from you. A person may start to stand closer to you and lean in during talks as you get to know them better. To prevent discomfort, if at all feasible, follow other people’s lead.

2. Being Cold or Aloof Do you feel shy while interacting with others?

You may choose to wait for other people to initiate contact if you feel embarrassed, uncomfortable, or awkward. You could build an image of being cold if you do this often with the same people.

Why not suppose that there is no basis for others to dislike you? A kind greeting and a smile will go a long way. If you want to promote a good work environment, it is a key that you get along with your coworkers. By having an image of being polite, you can lessen the chance of feeling awkward during first and future meetings.

3. Oversharing

This is a serious problem. Giving someone you don’t know well too much personal information might be unsettling. They could feel pressured to disclose personal information before they’re ready, which could lead to anger later on.

Therefore, refrain from engaging in talks concerning personal things such as relations, health, politics, or religion, notably if you disagree with the other person.

4. Touching Others

Fast forward to now, and things become complicated. Even in the post-pandemic society, people tend to touch each other regularly. But if you have a sensitive nature, you might want to become a more conscious habit. In comparison to other body areas like the back or face, touching someone’s arm, shoulder, or elbow is more publicly accepted. So, a hug should always be preceded by a request.

On the other side, it might lead to uncomfortable circumstances if other people close to you enjoy intimate interaction but you do not. Make an effort to express your feelings without making other people awkward.

5. Too Loud or Soft Talking

It may seem impossible to win in this circumstance. Nevertheless, it is simpler for people to converse with you comfortably if you refrain from both muttering and yelling. People who talk too softly or mumble find it difficult to hold a discussion whereas people who speak loudly may scare others.

You might try to find a happy medium by getting the help of a reliable person . If your voice is naturally loud, speaking in regular tones could feel awkward. However, making people feel at ease is worth the time and effort.

You can read “Embarrassment, Awkwardness, and How to Deal With It”, under the section on feelings at Epsychonline. To help learn about your uncomfortable feelings.

Further, you can enroll in the “DBT for Social Anxiety“ course on our website. It is probably more than shyness when people have such intense feelings that it keeps them from speaking up or interacting with others the majority of the time. It can be a social phobia-related anxiety disorder. So, the mentioned course will help you to cope with your feelings that you make people uncomfortable.

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