How to Feel More Confident: 4 Tips for Social Events |ADDICTED

Opening yourself up to attending more social events as someone who is more shy and introverted can be difficult. Building the confidence to talk to people you don’t know, make friends and attempt to become the life of the party might seem impossible.

However, even if you don’t know anyone around you, there are ways of channelling your inner self-confidence and owning the room. If you know you’re going to be attending some events in the near future, here are some tips to feel and act way more confident than you ever thought you could.

Make Yourself Seen

Lurking against the wall and clinging to that one person you know at an event might feel like a safe, comfortable place to be, but you’re not going to get very far socially if that’s your plan of action.

You need to make yourself seen and heard. If you’re shy, fake it until you make it by chatting to people around you, introducing yourself to mutual friends, showing off with cool card tricks or a musical instrument and finding common ground and connection with those around you.

When you make yourself seen, you’ll draw people towards you and it will be far easier to strike up conversations.

Look People in the Eye

Feeling shy, nervous and unconfident is one thing, expressing it openly is another. Live by the motto of “act confident and no one will question you” by living loud and proud and looking people in the eye when you talk to them.

Even if you’re nervous, this simple act will make you exude self-confidence, make you a compelling conversationalist and will help people to grow you like and trust you far more quickly than if it seemed you couldn’t bear to look at them.

Find Other Solo-Attenders

Showing up alone, or only knowing one or two people in a big crowd implies that your chances of hanging around the snack table on your own are pretty high. First of all, that’s no fun and second of all, it might look a little embarrassing.

Instead of trying to mingle with established cliques and groups, scan the room for anyone else who seems a little lost or alone, and see if you can strike up a connection with them through lack of connection. You might find you have something in common and you can be assured they’ll be as grateful for the companionship as you are.

Let Go of Expectations

Whether your expectations of an event are that it’s going to be dreadful, or that it’s going to be the best night of your life, try to let it go.

Letting go of expectations and walking into the room feeling ready to embrace whatever happens is the best attitude for attending a social event, especially where you might be the odd one out. If you’re really not having a good time, you can always leave, but psyching yourself up for a horrible evening won’t make you inclined to make new friends.