1. Wear Sunglasses
Who cares if it’s sunny out? A big, dark pair of shades means you don’t have to make eye contact with anyone, at all. Eye contact, that first sign that we may have to interact with a stranger, that thing that makes the heart start beating a little faster and the sweat start to creep down. It’s no longer a problem in a good pair of shades, and the best part is, you don’t have to worry about any of those old fashioned rules about square sunglasses for round face and round frame for a square face: as long as you feel comfortable and confident when you look in the mirror, you’ve got the right pair.
2. Don A Big Hat
When it’s just too dark out for sunglasses, a hat with a nice wide brim can help alleviate those pesky incidences of eye contact. The bigger the brim, the better. A baseball cap is a great option, as they’re fairly common and go with a lot of different outfits and style profiles. A cowboy hat or straw sun hat can also do the trick, just be careful that it’s not too snazzy. Anything terribly unique that could be considered a “statement piece” is more likely to draw attention that repel it.
3. Wear Drab Colors
In a study conducted by librarians about how to be more approachable, researchers found that blue was the most approachable color when it comes to clothing. While blue is a fairly common (and calming) color that holds a place in many wardrobes, it may be best to avoid it if you are looking to avoid people. Greens, blue-greens, teal, tan, and peachy-orange are also colors considered the most friendly and approachable, so going with a drab grey, black, or white is your best bet to blend in and appear neutral.
4. Sport A Hooded Coat Or Sweatshirt
For me, there’s nothing more comfortable than a good hoodie. The bonus is, you can always put the hood up to make yourself appear instantly more closed off. I’m not sure what it is, but there’s just something about a person who’s standing there with their hands in their pockets and their hood over their head that says, “don’t talk to me.”
5. Headphones
These days, it’s becoming more and more acceptable to walk around just about anywhere with a pair of headphones in. If you’ve got a pair of buds in, people are less likely to bug you, and will only try and get your attention if they have to. Plus, it’s a great excuse to pretend like you didn’t hear someone, say that person you haven’t seen since high school that is trying to wave you down in the grocery store…
6. Be Comfortable And Happy
It’s important to remember that comfortable clothing is always key, whether it’s a first date or just a trip to the corner store. If your shoes are pinching your toes, you’re constantly pulling your shirt down, or you’re afraid to sit because your skirt will bunch too far up, you’re going to start out nervous and uncomfortable, which can exacerbate any social anxiety you are trying to tamp down. If you are simply in a bad mood and really don’t want to be doing whatever it is you’re doing, try putting on something that makes you feel happy. In a study about how clothing affects emotions, researchers found that clothing choice does influence mood, and you can uplift your spirits simply by wearing something that brings a smile to your face. All in all, you want your unwanted outing to go as smoothly as possible, and starting off in a bad mood can definitely hinder that. Good Luck! Us introverts don’t always have it easy, but we get by. There are lots of ways to be a happy introvert, and hopefully these tips can make your next outing a little more comfortable and serene. Featured photo credit: Photo by Unsplash via pixabay.com
