Assignment 8-Elizabeth Ueland

Fears: scary movies, heights, dark windows, small spaces

Annoyances: mean people, loud chewing, small shirts

Accomplishments-: few

Confusions: math class, eyebrows, emotions

Sorrows: fitness, intelligence

Dreams: become a doctor, move to Hawaii

Idiosyncrasies: being odd, awkward, listening to music

Risks: making conversation with others

Beloved Possessions, Now and Then: then-hair bows, now-rocks

Problems- socializing

I’ve got 99 problems and socializing is one. Throughout the years I have discovered that I do not particularly excel in interacting with people and speaking in front of others at all. Small talk is the death of me-especially with adults. While talking to others can be insightful and interesting I have always struggled with making small talk and conversation. I think it all boils down to one thing-awkwardness. You’d think I would have already gone through this stage during middle school and matured enough to overcome this awful concept of being awkward. However, I try to embrace my awkwardness no matter how weird I am and no matter how poorly it is accepted. Anxiety also greatly contributes to my lack of social skills. My old pal anxiety never ceases to remind me in social situations: do they even want to talk to me? Did I make too much eye contact? Why did they look at the ground? Am I too boring? All of these lovely thoughts bounce through my head and make holding a simple conversation more difficult than my Calculus class. I am trying to improve my conversation skills and attempting put myself out there more. Hopefully one day I will be able to master this great art of socialization.