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I am a shy social introvert.  
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What does that mean?  

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmP1aViMpmviRNHr2u27QsbPQModbvTJPQwddHFT8CqtVm/image.png)

I find myself at a party with a group of friends, co-workers, and acquaintances, yet I feel out of place and alone.   I find myself in situations where I am:
1. Quietly standing in a crowd listening to other people's conversation but not providing any value to the discussion wondering why I am even here - you know, those awkward circles people stand in at parties
2. Trying to think of something clever to say, sometimes trying to think of anything to say at all
3. standing there with a smile pretending to drink the beverage I have been holding in my hands for almost the entire night
4. occasionally excusing myself to go to the bathroom when I dont actually have to go just to not seem as awkward
5. following that one close friend around because you are comfortable talking to that person but trying not to look out of place and alone - when i actuality you already feel out of place and alone
6. dialing my fiancee to talk to her just to feel a little less awkward

Has anyone else ever felt that way - you are in a social environment, where it seems like everyone is having a good time, having what seems like endless conversations of various topics, and generally comfortable just being around each other, but you do not.  

I often times feel that I'm on the outside looking in or just even out of place and although I am a part of the social circle, I feel like I don't belong or don't have anything to contribute, which leads to me just being there.

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmTzrdpB5Bot5tKSdNFzwdQYtbCNyWFZbpCz7UWr3ds58W/image.png)

Some people feel naturally at home in social environments.  They can talk to anyone about anything.  I am not one of those people.  Naturally, I need to really get to know someone before I can get to the point of just being at ease.   Generally when I meet someone new I can comfortably have a short conversation, but eventually it will lead to that uncomfortable silence where Im trying to think of something else to say and then ultimately end up just coming with an excuse to exit such as "I'll go to the bathroom.  I'll be right back."  Either that or I'll be like that annoying fly that tends to follow the one friend I'm comfortable talking to around.

![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmdB61YHYKNBUxdH2EuuQGzffLnzZnnkf6iRbuFyr3KP6u/image.png)

You want to know something funny.  I actually started this article while I was at the party - a diversion tactic to take my mind off of the isolation I had put myself in, which in turn isolated me even more.  Once I realized that I put my phone away, saved my work and joined one of the conversations going on.  Luckily for me, it was a group of friends who I was somewhat close to, discussing a topic I was interested in - in this case, planning our next diving trip.

There are a million guides and articles out there which provide techniques to get over this awkwardness, but none seem to work full proof for me.  No matter what, I am always still considered the quiet one.  Anyone have any recommendations or suggestions? 

Please let me know your thoughts and recommendations in the comments below
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Image Sources: <a href ="http://affinitymagazine.us/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/socially-awkward-new-years-resolution.jpg">[1]</a> <a href ="http://cdn-media-1.lifehack.org/wp-content/files/2013/09/How-To-Be-More-Social-If-You-Are-Introverted.jpg">[2]</a> <a href ="http://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/10/02-bring-small-ways-stop-being-socially-awkward-73491109-skynesher.jpg">[3]</a>
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