COMIC: 6 tips to help you overcome social anxiety this season

2 hours ago 2

The holidays tend to be a time for gathering, with work parties, family dinners and school showcases. And socializing can be awkward! But avoiding awkwardness can also get in the way of fun and connection.

So if you're considering bailing on your community potluck or office party because you're anxious, read this first!

Here are six tips from psychologists Ali Mattu and Fallon Goodman on how to embrace the awkwardness and practice social courage.

“initiate small talk?” Options are “Yes” “No” and “Run away.”

“Everyone hates you. Game over.” With a frowny face.

What do I have? What do I need?”

Below, the video game character enters Level 2. A green two-bit box pops up that says: “New tools unlocked! Inventory: key, speech bubble, heart, question mark”

“Here are six tips from psychologists about how to deal with your anxiety — rather than repressing it.”

An illustration below shows two kids facing a television with the block-head video game character from earlier panels on the screen. One kid turns to the other kid and says, “Do you know any cheat codes for this game?” The other child responds, “I wish.”

Below, black text on an orange text box reads: “We’re offering tips for everyday social anxiety that we all feel at intense times. There’s also social anxiety disorder — one of the most common mental health disorders, which has a lot of treatment options with trained professionals.”

“The more practice you get, the more comfortable you become with some awkwardness.”

Below, on the left side, a block-head video game character walks up to the barista in a two-bit scene and says, “Hello! One tea, please. I like your shirt.”

To the right, the block-head character earns one bonus point for making small talk with the barista.

In the frame below, the tea seller, named Wesley wearing a cat tee-shirt says, “Thank you! I got it at the thrift store next door.”

A friend meter at the bottom of the screen glows as one point is added.

“And make an escape plan! Give yourself an out to leave when you really want to.”

Below is an image of the two-bit video game. It shows the block-head character saying, “Must run to take care of my cat.” Next to the block-head character, an orange two-bit cat with a bowl of food and a floating heart above its head says, “Mrrow!” At the top of the video game, text in a green pop-up reads, “Bus ticket acquired!” The character acquires a +1 heart at the top of the screen. They are now in level 2.

1) Talk to one new person. 2) Ask two questions.”

“voicing your fears ahead of time can help make real life less scary.”

Below, an exclamation point in a triangle appears next to more text that reads, “Your worst-case scenario will probably not happen!”

To the right, the two-bit video game character appears in a pop-out box. Next to the character, a red box with white text reads, “Possible boss fights.”

Below are three scenarios, illustrated in a two-bit style.

1. Spill drink on crush. A spilled water glass is next to a broken heart.
2. Make a joke & no one laughs. A blockhead character has a speech bubble with an exclamation point. To the right is another speech bubble with ellipses.
3. Run into your ex. On the left is the block-head character. On the right, an orange block-head with a swoop of black hair has a speech bubble that says, “hi.”

“Put away your phone! Looking at our phones is a 'safety behavior' — something we do in a social setting to feel more secure. But staring into your phone is not a way to connect with others.”

Below is a two-bit scene with a villainous, anthropomorphized smartphone. The phone says, “Mwahaha!” “Look at me!” Next to the phone, a sunburst shape with text inside reads, “Boss level!”

“Embrace the awkwardness. It’s totally normal for conversations to have awkward silences and miscommunications.”

Below is an illustrated image of psychologist Ali Mattu in two-bit style. A speech bubble emanates from his mouth, reading, “The cost of social interactions is cringe.” Next to him, three bar charts say, “Cringe meter”, with each bar going down in value.

Below, the word “Hints!” appears in a green semi-circle. Below, dark text in an orange text box reads, “If an event has awkward moments, it doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong.”

To the right, a two-bit video game scene shows a blockhead video game player facing another blockhead character. Above, an orange banner reads, “Buffering … thoughts loading.” A buffering wheel appears between the two characters.

Snax, H20, Cool rock” and illustrations of those items.

At the top of the screen, dark text in an orange text box reads, “You want a friend who will offer reflection and help you feel confident — rather than socially silo you.”

Below, a two-bit video game scene shows a two-bit blockhead player who says, “Was that bad?” The companion responds, “That party was awkward, but I’m proud of you for going. You did great!” The two characters eat snacks.

To the left, a green pop-up box says, “Items: Snax, H20, Cool rock” and features illustrations of those items.

Below, a pop-up box reads: “Action! It can help anxiety to debrief after an event.”

To the right, a two-bit version of psychologist Fallon Goodman appears in a pop-out box. A text bubble emanates from her mouth, reading, “We don’t want to lie to ourselves. Start with “How did I do?” Did your biggest fear come true? “

“Action. Give your conversation partner a chance to shine!”

be interested.”

To the right, a two-bit video game scene shows a blockhead player interacting with a companion. Speech bubbles say, “Uh … what have you been doing for fun?”

The companion responds, “Hm … I’m playing a new game.”

The blockhead player responds, “Oh cool! What is it?”

10” and a health indicator displays four hearts.

This comic was written and illustrated by Shay Mirk, a graphic journalist, editor, and teacher and the author of Making Nonfiction Comics: A Guide for Graphic Narrative.

This comic was reported by Andee Tagle and edited by Beck Harlan. The podcast episode was produced by Clare Marie Schneider.

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