Silence is not awkward, you just make it awkward.

⏳ 4 min read

My not-so common, Common Sense Guide for Fun Convos

Let’s be real, awkward silences aren’t actually awkward until we make them that way. You’re talking to someone and suddenly its like your brain hits a pause button and you panic. But what if I told you that these silences are totally normal and not the end of the world. WIth the right mindset, you can turn any conversation into something fun and engaging. So, heres my not-so common, common sense guide to make sure your convos never crash and burn, and why you don’t need to fear a little quiet

Stop trying so hard.

Conversations aren’t a competition. If you’re constantly thinking, “What do I say next? What’s the right thing to say?” you’re putting too much pressure on yourself ( I see it a lot in the startup sphere). You should just let it flow. IF something interests you, dive into it. If not, change the subject or even admit it “ Hey uh this isn’t really my thing, but recently I’ve been super into {something else}” Relax, let the conversation flow naturally. Don’t force it, it’s not a job interview.

Remove the Interview Questions

Trust me on this. Nothing kills a vibe more like asking boring, textbook questions. “So, what do you do for work?” Yawn. (I’d say it’s tolerable if you’re networking but even then, there’s so much that you can withstand when everyone’s job is a copy paste of each other.) Instead, try asking things that spark actual interest, like “What’s something cool you’ve done recently?” or “Are you doing anything new?” People are for sure more likely to open up when they’re talking about stuff they care about, not just what they have to talk about.

Do a Vibe Check

Pay attention to the person’s energy, not just their words. Are they excited? Bored? Nervous? Their mood will guide where the conversation should go. If they’re hyped about something, dig into that. If the energy is flat, switch up - don’t stick to a dead end topic. The more you pick up on their vibe, the smoother the convo. It’s always the best when the vibes match. The convo is so

Don’t be scared of Random

Don’t be afraid to throw something totally random into the conversation. It’s a great way to keep things interesting. Ask questions like, “are aliens real” or uh “if you could live in any movie or book, where would you go” (idk, i’m thinking on the spot here). The weirder the question, the more memorable the convo is. Plus, it keeps things from getting stale.

Talk about Everyday Stuff

You don’t need to have deep, mind blowing conversations all the time. Talking about everyday things can lead to some of the best conversations. Ask them about lunch, the weekend, or if they had any weird dreams. Start with something small and the the conversation will naturally take off,

Memes and Pop Culture Save Lives

We live in the age of the internet and consumption. If you haven’t shut off social media, then I’m sure you’re aware of all the memes, viral tiktoks, twitter drama etc - USE IT. Bring up the latest trends or a meme that everyone’s sharing. People are so much more likely to engage in conversations that’s current, fun, and relatable. Great way to vibe check someone and if they laugh at the same things as you, you’re golden.

Silence is Fine, Stop Freaking Out

Silence doesn’t have to be awkward. It’s only weird if you make it weird. Sometimes people just need a moment to think or chill. If there’s a pause, don’t rush in to fill it whatever random thing pops into your head. Let it hang for a second and give some breathing room. The next thing that comes up will probably be much more interesting.

BeReal and Don’t Act Like a Bot.

Look, you don’t need to have the perfect response to everything. The best convos happen when you’re being yourself, not when you’re trying to impress someone. Don’t stress about sounding funny, or smart, or cool or whatever reason you may have - just be genuine. People connect more with authenticity than with perfectly rehearsed lines

So What’s the Conclusion??

Running out of things to say doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Relax, and keep things fun. Conversations aren’t a test. Start enjoying it.