On social disconnects
When you find yourself in a social setting where you can not connect and seem not to fit in, it's always easy to assume that something is wrong with yourself. And there is a hand full of good reasons why you think that:
- It's easy to compare yourself to other people who fit and how they seemingly have no problem navigating the situation while you struggle to land only one joke or tell a story.
- You feel like your clothes don't match, you do not get the inside jokes, and you have no memorable experience or story to share.
If you are the misfit, you should not start doubting yourself but embrace the situation. If you start feeling lonely and disconnected, nothing good comes from that place. Trust that you can adapt and learn.
"Any person capable of angering you becomes your master; he can anger you only when you permit yourself to be disturbed by him." -- Epictetus.
If a person or a statement upsets you or you find yourself ignored, do not blame it on others. Take responsibility for yourself. You can control how you will react to situations. If it hurts then you are learning.