You’ve had some Aha! moments, you realize there are some problems with the way you have interacted with others in the past.  You no longer accept emotional manipulation or bullying as normal.  You’ve stepped back emotionally to evaluate.  You’ve implemented new patterns of thought and behavior into your situation or relationship. 

Wow! You are a badass!!

​But something still feels “off.”

What gives?
There’s this awkward process when you realize that co-dependency no longer works for you.  You’ve gained insight and grown emotionally but those around you haven’t.  This means that you are left with a disconnect you didn’t have before.

Before, while still in your co-dependency, you clicked, you connected with your significant other or counterparts because your dysfunction matched theirs.  Where they were needy, you were willing to fill the holes.   You knew how to respond to the emotional distancing, the criticism, the blame shifting- and when you did; when you were able to successfully fit the bill- you felt connected. 

Either that, or you would withdraw until the other came to collect you.

With the maladaptive connection gone, you no longer have “that spark” of connection.  

So What Now?
There's a grieving, a healing process to go through.  When we come out of co-dependency, we have to let go of old relationships, the old self, and find something new, different and healthy.  And that takes work.  And some grieving.  And some healing.  

The only way out is through, my friends.  Roll up your sleeves and get to work,- M

​The video version (vlog) of this blog entry is at https://youtu.be/aSBOp2-OuQ0  And I think you might notice I'm getting less awkward on-screen.  Or I'm trying anyway.

​Photo credit: pixabay 

Maybe you don't have social anxiety.  Maybe you just hate people and would really rather stay at home with a good book or binge watch the eternal quarter-life crisis of Friends.  Again.  And if that is you, I get it.  People can be mean, boring, pretentious, or in general just difficult to tolerate.

And social situations can be complicated.  There's that how-to-dress thing, and that who-to-talk-to thing, and that why-didn't-anyone-tell-me-I-have-spinach-in-my-teeth thing. It's stressful.

But, for those of you who fantasize about lighting up the night and being the life of the party... if it weren't for that paralyzing fear of public humiliation. I'm going to give you some tricks of the trade.  And for what it counts, I'm shy and socially awkward myself.  However, I've been told this is more readily evident in my videos than in my blog posts.  Because I wear a cape when I write. And you can't wear a cape when you are in public. Unless you are going to Comic-Con.  

Anyway, back to you and your crippling fear of social rejection.  I have a few tips that you can try on for size (you know, like a cape) the next time you get a notification for a get-together from one of those annoying naturally social types.

How to Work a Crowd- Or at Least Survive a Party

​1) Thank the anxious part of yourself for caring.  After all, that inner hermit probably just wants to protect you from unforeseen disaster. Like spinach in your teeth. For random example.  It's never happened to me.  I'm just saying that would be really horrible if it did.  But it didn't.

​2) Plan your escape. Before you even click the "I'm going" button, plan how you will handle potential panic moments. For example, you could keep your phone with you.  When you need to leave, look at your phone, make a gently concerned face at it and say, "Excuse me" to anyone who is nearby.  Do not wait for questions or responses from others. Head toward the door immediately.  If you don't want to return, don't.  You had a smooth and purposeful exit.  If you catch your breath and want to rejoin the festivities, just strut back in. If anyone asks about your emergency exit, shrug it off with a nonchalant, "My sister/brother/babysitter/spouse couldn't find the microwave popcorn."  Make it seem like you probably didn't need to take that call in the first place.  And you're really needed by people who call you. This may lead to a discussion about how family members can't do anything for themselves- ugh! (Commiserating is a great for conversation.)

​​6) Use non-creepy eye contact. Eye contact should show interest, not interrogation or spell-casting. I've seen some people go from no eye contact whatsoever to burning a hole in the back of my head in an act of innocent over-correction.  But it's still weird. Don't do it.  Try this instead: Look into their eyes, then move your eyes around slightly and casually.  Glance at their cheek or eyebrow then back to their eyes again.  Look toward some other commotion in the room now and then.  Oh, and try not to make your eyes dart around like you are watching a ping-pong tournament.  And if they have a zit or a mole or something, don't stare at it.  That's rude.  But if they have spinach in their teeth, definitely tell them.  What kind of a monster doesn't tell someone they have spinach in their teeth?

7) Watch your body language. You might do this because you don't know what to do with your body parts, but crossing your arms and putting your hands in your pockets are no-nos. We don't need to discuss jingling your keys in your pocket, do we? Instead, hold a drink in one hand and gently place your other hand on the other side of the cup.  This keeps both hands exposed at all times- and leaves one hand readily available to shake another hand in introduction.