Awkwardness in social situations
Whenever I'm talking to someone, I have no idea how to look at them.I would touch my hair constantly because... what else would I do with my hands? I don't know how to look at someone without staring at them (instead, I constantly glance away), and I don't know what kind of facial expression I should hold whileI'm listening to them speak. People probably think that I'm either nervous (Ipanic whenever I feel awkward) or just not listening to them carefully enough.
Is anyone else like this? How do you deal with social awkwardness?
Yes, I cope with similar challenges. What I do is focus intently on their words and force myself to ignore my inner dialogue. The point is that by focusing so much on ourselves, we miss what the other person is saying.
Externalization rather than internalization is important
I have really bad social anxiety so I constantly have to remind myself to make eye contact or I wont look at anyone at all. Right eye, left eye, and back and forth slowly. I read in a book about communication that its helpful to practice "sticky eyes". You look into the persons eyes as they talk and if you need to look away, look away so so slowly as if your gaze is attached to their eyes by a rubber band. When you notice your gaze straying, snap it back to the eyes. It makes it look like youre listening. Some nodding also helps and asking questions is good too. Im still working on it