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How Do I Learn to Be Vulnerable and Open Up to Others?
I have trouble with one-on-one conversations.
Howdy Doc,
I’ve been reading your blogs and watching your videos for a few months now, and would like your input on something. So, I’m a guy who struggles with vulnerability and opening up.
Yeah, I know. Super original. Right up there with Villains Wear Black and Elf with a Bow.
My social skills are the weirdest stat array I’ve encountered. I do pretty well in group settings with people I’m familiar with. Parties with friends, Dn\&D sessions, gaming online with buddies, family events, Socratic seminars (back in school). I’m also resident meme lord in my active friend groups. Hell, I can even handle public speaking.
Part of this is the structure. In these contexts, I can partake in the conversation as needed. I can go in, say what I want, and pull back when done. Others pick up, and it flows on. For public speaking, I don’t have to zero in on one person, and the audience’s responses are generally nonverbal. And either way, these scenarios give me time to think of what to say (even a few seconds counts big time).
However, I have trouble with one-on-one conversations. And individual small talk is tricky at my…
