I get invited to events fairly often. Usually it’s small things like movie nights or jam sessions. Half the time I make up some lame excuse so I don’t have to go, and end up sitting at home playing crappy computer games.
The reason for this is that I’m somewhat awkward around my old friends. In 9th grade I used to be somewhat quiet and weird, and now in 12th grade I’m much more comfortable around people but my old friends from 9th grade may think it’s strange that I suddenly start socializing with them a lot more.
Therefore, when I hook up with my 9th grade friends (which is a lot of the time), I take on my 9th grade character, staying quiet and putting in the occasional odd remark.
How to reach this goal? Well, first of all I plan to attend every social event I get invited to, unless there’s a REAL reason why I can’t come (and not some lame excuse I made up). Secondly, I plan to talk a lot more in social situations, and try to keep conversations going when someone’s chatting with me. I consider myself fairly intelligent, but sometimes my awkwardness overcomes my ability to hold a meaningful conversation.
Hopefully this will become a lot easier when I’m off to college and meeting new people. It will be tough to make a good first impression, but from there on it should be smooth sailing.
EDIT: Was invited to stay at a friend’s house and watch a movie, but told him I had to go home and made up some lame excuse. Silly me.
