I somewhat resonate with this, but for different reasons. I'm a little older so I already knew how to socialize when everything locked down haha. Actually, by that time, I was already well into my own self imposed isolation. Anyways...
For me, at least, I have no problem talking to strangers and I find it fun actually. I can play with the situation and be whimsical. The problem is...where do I find pleasant strangers?
The "phubbing" phenomena is very real. I hate it. Something that keeps happening to me now is that why everyone is doing that I'm trying to talk, socialize, and express myself except the people are literally shutting me up. They accuse me of having too much or too high or too strong of an energy. No, you're just boring. Also I can't help that when I'm getting excited about a topic I'm talking about, my volume starts to increase. It can't be that bad, can it? Well, apparently it is because people shush me or tell me to "chill".
I really hate that because they are literally trying to dampen my spirits.
Meanwhile I'm actually phubbing the phone itself when I'm around real people. I forget I have a phone number or any online presence. Sorry I didn't comment on your new profile picture; I was talking to people in person.
Or at least trying to
I've had the most luck meeting new people at places of work. Oh you don't like me? That's ok because we're forced to spend 8hrs together anyways.
That's how I met a girl that I actually ended up spending a significant chunk of my short life with. But lately I've just been working with a demographic that is much older than me.
Well, I would NEVER tell you to shut up. You can even talk to me about gnomes.
I resonate so hard with this comment as I reckon people find me too intense too. It took a long time for me to realize I was just kickass and it was them who had the problem.
I tend to talk a lot to strangers too. It's why I like surfing - there's an instant social life even with strangers whilst waiting for a wave. And then I go home and be on my own or with Jamie and that's how I like it.
Fucking phones. Even my son does it. I get annoyed at him and he's like 'you can't tell me what to do' and I stare him out and say yes I can, it's my house and I'm your mother, put your phone down. It's actually the only time we clash!!!!
Lucky her!
We were both very lucky 💚
But I burned that bridge