five random social “skills” i learned due to life experience
it’s okay to bring up your own experience when someone is telling you about their experience, as long as you circle it back to them. “is that what you mean? is that similar to your experience, or was yours different? what did you think of xyz?”
follow-up questions are always okay! when someone is done explaining something to you, ask them something along the lines of, “so, I just do this & that? / and then [result] will happen?” soo many people will appreciate your effort to understand and it’s also a good way to end a conversation instead of the slightly awkward “oh, okay, thank you– yes, thanks. got it! thank you.”
remember the details about people to refer to later. even if it’s just small talk. if you think it might be awkward, you can casually be like “wasn’t it you who told me about this..?” which indicates that what they told you was, in a way, important to you.
never underestimate the power of compliments. not only will you make someone feel good, but chances are they’ll expand on the conversation by adding where they got something, how they feel about something or simply how much they appreciate you noticing.
make kind honesty a habit (even more so than brutal honesty). tell people about the things you admire about them, express your gratitude even when it’s for mundane reasons, give advice to help others be better and not just to be critical, take a moment to tell someone you appreciate their presence, conversation, etc. be open and generous with your love and watch it find its way back to you.
origamiaround
kianamaiart
theartofmadeline
stormborns
