Personality
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Challenge the belief that you cannot change your personality.
The idea that 'this is just who I am' is a false belief.
one person who lived it
Stretch and groove in the morning to get back into your own body.
to get back into your own body
- based on one person's routine
one person who lived it
Read 'How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk' to gain empathy.
to gain empathy
one person who lived it
Express succinct opinions and wit rather than acting as a people-pleaser.
Others are more drawn to succinct opinions and wit than to those who appear to be yes-men.
one person who lived it
Enjoy small moments like looking at clouds when feeling overwhelmed.
It helps one live life to the fullest rather than just taking it less seriously.
one person who lived it
Find your unique edge in socializing, such as using humor, to stand out.
It gives you value in conversations.
one person who lived it
Spring up conversations that you can laugh at.
it helps
one person who lived it
Shift from living seriously to living sincerely, paying attention to amazing things.
Most things are not life-and-death, but amazing things can be missed without sincere attention.
one person who lived it
Look for something to joke about in any situation, even if it is a bad pun or fails; if someone laughs, you will feel lighter and happier.
Laughing instantly makes you feel lighter and happier.
one person who lived it
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Learn to say 'No' and politely express your true feelings to gradually change how others perceive you.
It will slowly change perceptions.
one person who lived it
Set a timer for 15 minutes each day to do something completely silly, such as watching cat compilations.
It breaks down walls.
one person who lived it
Work on becoming a mellow, nice person who puts others before yourself.
One person reported having a better life after doing this.
one person who lived it
Watch 'Broad City' to see characters who do not care what others think, which one person found helpful for improv.
It models a lack of concern for others' opinions.
one person who lived it
Join communities of people who share your new passions to regain enthusiasm and make friends.
Meeting people with shared enthusiasm helps rebuild social connections.
one person who lived it
Be authentic and unapologetic about your likes to connect with people.
One person found it easier to connect this way.
one person who lived it
Listen without responding unless asked a question or the other person seems finished; use the silence to think before speaking.
It allows time to think rather than hastily blurting out a joke.
one person who lived it
Invite friends to structured activities like pub quizzes or trivia so you have something to do while they chat.
It provides a shared activity that allows for chit-chat without pressure.
one person who lived it
Perform at an open mic night to test your humor.
Bombing may correct overestimation of your funniness, or success may reveal a new vocation.
one person who lived it
Cultivate three hobbies you are knowledgeable and passionate about to increase your chances of connecting with others.
People are generally interested in topics you can express enthusiasm for.
one person who lived it
Talk to random people to realize that awkwardness is the worst possible outcome, which can encourage you to open up more.
Realizing that the worst case is merely an awkward situation reduces inhibition.
one person who lived it
Remind yourself that life is ending to question whether things you give weight to are essential.
one person who lived it
Induce natural laughter by finding moments that click with you, such as watching something funny or goofing around with comfortable people.
Real, natural laughter comes from these moments rather than forcing it.
one person who lived it
Practice being less self-conscious by focusing entirely on the other person during conversations instead of on yourself.
It gets easier with practice.
one person who lived it
Accept that feeling uncomfortable is a natural part of learning new social behaviors.
Doing something you are not used to will always feel unnatural.
one person who lived it
Dance or practice shaking therapy to open yourself to receiving.
to open you to receiving
one person who lived it
Focus less on yourself to avoid interactions feeling forced or awkward.
Being constantly focused on oneself and stuck in one's own thoughts can make social interactions seem forced or awkward.
one person who lived it
Change your personality slowly to avoid backfiring.
Changing too quickly can backfire.
one person who lived it
Take up activities that activate your inner child, such as riding rollercoasters or watching comedy.
One person reported laughing deeply after visiting a theme park.
2 people, independently
Develop hobbies and go places to generate material for conversations.
Doing things gives you something to talk about.
one person who lived it
Start interactions with an appropriate emotional response before joking to avoid appearing uncaring.
Joking immediately can be taken as not caring.
one person who lived it
Read 'Autobiography of a Yogi' by Paramahansa Yogananda.
One person reported it helped them live more consciously and joyfully.
one person who lived it
Listen genuinely rather than speaking impulsively to appear more sophisticated.
Genuine listening prevents blabbering and improves perception.
one person who lived it
If you struggle with feeling oppressed by adult expectations, try digging deep to release beliefs about how adults are supposed to behave to free your inner child.
one person who lived it
Shift your mindset from competitive to collaborative in social interactions.
3 people, independently
Say funny thoughts immediately when they occur, prioritizing timing over perfection.
Timing is everything.
one person who lived it
One person reported that relentlessly consuming comedy content changed their life.
one person who lived it