Does anyone feel like they completely lost their social skills and ability to socialize effectively post-pandemic? I went to a networking event last night and couldn't even make small talk. Even office banter is a push for me. Am I the only one?

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I have always been an introvert, but the pandemic has turned me into a hermit. While I love getting together with friends, I find work-related socializing to be more draining than ever before. You’re not alone.

likeuplifting

I think I just lost the energy to care for small talk. Don’t know if that necessarily pandemic related though 🤷‍♀️

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I agree. It's not lost skill for me, its lost energy.

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I certainly don’t say bless you anymore when people sneeze. It feels like the social convention should be that they should be apologizing instead of us saying bless you lol.

Besides that, people go into public and go to these events sick and constantly coughing and hoarse saying they “just have a little cold” or what-not without a mask on, blowing their noses at parties without washing their hands then touching all the finger foods… licking their fingers when they turn the pages of the program or the menu at the event… it’s turned me off from being around people I don’t already know very well and reminded me how selfish and inconsiderate most people are. It’s turning me into a hermit.

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Same A5! I was never a germaphobe or a neat freak. My house has always been at least a little messy. So I am definitely trying to stick to my inner circle. I just got invited to a destination wedding (by a lawyer I’ve never met in real life just through online networking and have been talking to since the early pandemic through lawyer groups like this one). While I plan on going to her wedding, I find I do my best networking online instead of in person, especially since the pandemic. It feels more organic friendship and less like I’m going to meet someone who’s only interested in me kicking business over to them

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Small talk has become much more of a chore. Especially because I think many of us, whether or not we know it, are carrying around enormous mental loads that require us to shuffle through to find an acceptable answer when someone asks, “how are you?” Given everything going on, IMO most small talk topics almost feel trivial — which makes it harder to feel invested in. OP, you are not alone!

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Yes I absolutely agree- the small talk seems trivial! I'm interested and I care but how do I respond to "how's work?" Thanks for your supportive words

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YES. I also am constantly thinking about how I want to be home with my family/dogs and getting overly annoyed at the fact that i have to have the conversations to begin with (but that's a me problem).

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Yes!!!!!!!!

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Yes! I feel soo socially awkward now.

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Yes! I’ve never been particularly skilled at small talk, but I’m embarrassingly bad at it now.

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Yes. If the conversation lulls I can’t just push it out anymore. Going to be interviewing soon and am terrified of this.

likesmart

Yes!! This plus having a baby in 2021 has made me a complete weirdo. I feel like I have nothing to contribute to conversations anymore and I used to be SO SOCIAL.

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I am in the same boat! I had a baby in May 2021 and especially after having him I feel like the social skills were sucked out of me!

Yes….

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Yep

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🙋‍♀️

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100%. I am an extrovert but my social battery gets full way faster than it ever did before. I used to want to socialize multiple times a week and now one seems like too much. And in office days exhaust me

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Yes! I've lost my filter!

Definitely not the only one. I’ve lost the ability to interview, to interact smoothly with people I don’t know. I’m not even that adept at socialising with my own friends these days.

I have a low key coffee meeting with a director at another firm tomorrow and already worried about it. What am I going to say.

My jokes have gotten worse. And socializing with coworkers in person warrant a nap after.

I was in an elevator with a random partner (no idea who he is) and he was giving me funny looks (maybe it was my mask or leaving at 3:30) but I tried making small talk about the weather and he acted like I had three heads. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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