#awkwardness

#awkwardness

You have food, you have alcohol, you have questions about what to wear, you have people you don't see very often, or who you see very often but not in this context. There's also a lot of pressure on the holidays in general. We have a lot of expectations that don't always align-like we want it to be a lot of different things, and maybe it can't be all of those things.

The holidays tend to be a time for gathering, with work parties, family dinners and school showcases. And socializing can be awkward! But avoiding awkwardness can also get in the way of fun and connection. So if you're considering bailing on your community potluck or office party because you're anxious, read this first! Here are six tips from psychologists Ali Mattu and Fallon Goodman on how to embrace the awkwardness and practice social courage.

I hate to break it to you, but it probably will be awkward for a while, no matter what you do. No one likes to come face to face with people they'd rather leave in their past, let alone seeing them on a 9-5 basis in the same building. Even if you left the relationship on perfectly good terms, it still might be awkward as this person comes into your life again.