How to Stop Being Socially Awkward (According to Science) with Behavioral Scientist Vanessa Van Edwards
A Bit of Optimism
May 19, 2026
Social awkwardness is increasingly common as we replace human interaction with digital convenience. To thrive, we must treat social skills as learnable muscles rather than fixed traits, focusing on small, actionable experiments that build genuine rapport and long-term resilience.
Key insight: The most effective way to overcome social anxiety at a party isn't to stand by the entrance or food, but to position yourself right where people exit the bar—they are looking for connection and you become their social savior.
