This site is two things at once. On one hand, it's a collection of articles on various topics related to social skills and getting along with other people. However, taken as a whole, it's also a guide on how shy, lonely, socially awkward people can get over their issues. Everything that's written here is based on my own experiences in overcoming these problems.
Feel free to check out the ever growing list of articles below. Don't feel you have to read them in order, just jump to whatever interests you. If you want to know where I'm coming from though, check out the first one on my overall philosophies towards this topic.
- Chris
About The Site:
The Philosophies And Assumptions Behind This Site
The Limits Of This Site's Advice
Introductory:
My Take On Social Skills And How To Improve Them
Having A Realistic Idea Of The Effects Of Improving Your Social Skills
Overall Attitudes That Will Aid The Development Of Your People Skills
Stages You Can Go Through As You Improve Your People Skills
Overcoming Laziness, Inertia, And Fear
The Tricky Issue Of Making Changes To Yourself In Order To Fit In
Apply This Site's Advice, Don't Just Read It Endlessly
Read This If This Site Makes You Feel Discouraged
If You're Actually Not All That Interested In Learning Social Skills:
When You Want To Do Better With People... But Not Really
Benefits Of Improving Your Social Skills, Even If You Don't Care About Them
Meeting People And Making Friends:
How to Make Friends And Get A Social LifePlaces And Ways To Meet New People
Advice On Making Plans With People
Activities People Do When They Hang Around Each Other
Mistakes Lonely People Often Make
Ways To Improve Your Social Prospects Before You Try Meeting Anyone
When People Don't Seem Interested In Being Friends With You
When Your Life Circumstances Interfere With Your Social Life
Do Your Friends Really Suck As Much As You Think?
Getting Along With People:
How To Be More Friendly And SocialTraits That Help You Hang Out With Other People
How To Be More Fun
Regular Logical Mode vs. Fun Partying Mode In Social Interactions
Getting Along With New Groups
Little Social Annoyances That Will Never Go Away
Thoughts On 'Connecting' With People
The Challenges Of Socializing At An Office Job
Conversation:
Some "Bigger Picture" Thoughts On Making ConversationSome Tips On How To Be Less Quiet In Conversations
Examples: Starting Conversations, Inviting People Out, And More
How To Do Better In Loud, Crazy Group Conversations
Thoughts On Small Talk, Gossip, And Being Interested In Other People
Personality:
How Being Less Naturally Social Can Affect Your Interpersonal SuccessThoughts On Being Funny
Thoughts On How To Be More Interesting
Knowledge & Lifestyle:
Factors That Can Boost Your Social Success Quite Quickly
Legitimately Improve Yourself As A Person
The Importance of Getting Your Appearance In Order
How Your Interests Can Affect Your Social Success
How Traveling/Backpacking Can Boost Your Social Skills
Lifestyle Factors That Can Affect Your Social Success
Reading More Can Indirectly Boost Your Social Success
Losing Your Naivety And Getting More Of An Edge
Non-Verbal Communication:
Learning To Make More Eye Contact With People
Confidence:
My Experience With Becoming More Self-Confident
Reflections On Getting Over Low Self-Esteem
More General Concepts:
The Importance Of Simplicity And The Basics In Social Interactions
Geared More Towards Guys:
How To Dance - For Average Guys
My Advice For Any Shy, Awkward Guys Still in High-School
How I (Gradually) Became Less Obsessive About Playing Video Games
Geared More Towards Women:
Inside The Mind Of Guys Who Are Shy And Inexperienced With Women
Mental:
Mental Health Issues That Can Impact Your Social Success
Anxious Traits That Can Hinder Your Social Success
Coping With Nervousness
Traits To Avoid:
Insecure Traits And Behaviors That Hinder Your Social SuccessSome Interpersonal Pitfalls More Intellectual Types Can Fall Into
Thoughts On Seeming Less Weird
Reflections On Being Defensive And Secretive
Being Too Negative Can Hinder Your Social Success
Is Bitterness Holding You Back Socially?
Somewhat Controversial / Things You May Not Want To Hear:
At Times It's Socially Practical To Know Things Other People Care About
Being Honest With Yourself About Your Social Problems
Are You Sure You Know What You Want Socially?
What To Do If You Can't Relate To All The Shallow People Out There
It's Fine If You Don't Drink, But Don't Be Too Uptight About It
Bars And Clubs Aren't All Bad
Thoughts On Advice:
Social Skills And Self-Help Advice That Hasn't Worked For Me
Attitudes Towards Socializing That Are Easier Said Than Done
When You Start Improving:
When People Don't Notice You've Changed
The Other Side:
How To Talk To Shyer And/Or Less Social People
