Morning, everyone! Are you having a good day so far? Today, I want to talk to you about a little thing called ‘communication’. Yes, we all hear about this word when it comes to trying to get along with people. However, I’d like to discuss a few things that pertain to my own communication skills and flaws. So, let’s begin.
Offline, my communication can be pretty awkward. I often speak too fast and quietly for people to hear, and it only gets worse when I’m anxious. And that’s not the only issue! My wording is often a mess- and so, sometimes, I avoid voicing the things on my mind, when my blunt honesty isn’t in effect. Neither bluntness nor silence make for a great person to be around. What’s interesting is who I’m the quietest with. The more I trust you, the less I feel a need to speak.
With strangers, I’ll babble on about anything just to deal with the awkwardness… But, for example, when I’m with my boyfriend in person, I didn’t actually speak nearly as much as when we’d chat online. And that last part I’d like to emphasize for a moment. Why do I talk to people more online than offline, whether I’m close to them or not?
I think the answer is not being able to see them. I get really awkward whether it’s voice or video chats. For me, the more real it is, the more I find it hard to separate it from reality and thus my usual feelings of relief take the wheel and I go quiet. That’s just my hypothesis. I can’t really tell what the truth is though.
Another issue I have with communication is wording. I write better than I speak- when I speak, I often sound like a chicken with its head cut off. I misunderstand things easily, miss puns, and can’t always recognize sarcasm or jokes. I also can’t hide my feelings well on my face, so my words don’t fool anyone. I’m the worst liar I know, and my wording only makes it worse. I misuse idioms and want to hit my head on something the moment I realize it. I stall and stutter, which is a not so great quality either.
Basically, talking makes me uneasy, but not talking makes me uneasy. I guess overall… Communication just makes me anxious? It’s something I’m not proud of… So I better get to work on that!
Do any of you struggle with communication? Do you have any tips or tricks that help you with talking slower and louder, and just keeping small talk alive? I really don’t know what I’m doing… But I’m sure someone out there does! So, if you have any ideas at all, please share them in the comments for the rest of us. Pretty please with sugar on top? I promise, I’ll thank you.