So Awkward!!

Go ahead and be your own weird self. If you feel awkward in your own skin some days, how do you handle it?
I either cocoon until the feeling goes away, or I reach out to someone (eventually).
I think many of us have awkward days (or have had in the past). I don’t know why I feel that way some days.
Oh gosh, in looking back, there are many points in time I felt that way for a little while. … maybe you have those times, too.
Did you have times like that?
One stage of life I felt this “awkward not fitting in feeling” was h.s. sock hops. Oh gosh, NONE of my friends went, but my folks thought it was important to go. So I went. But I felt suddenly very shy. Spent the evening hiding in the bathroom. I just couldn’t approach people I didn’t know and try to hang out with them. And it felt awkward to stand alone.
It took me by surprise that I felt like I had to hide. In my classes and at my youth group I was never at a loss. I was in my groove, confident
Sock hop? Nope. Going to the community swimming pool? Nope (except in swim lessons).
At those awkward times I didn’t feel like myself. I felt adrift … buffeted by the winds of feeling alone in a crowd. I had no urge to connect across perhaps a sea of people who all seemed to fit with each other.
At those “unfamiliar territory” times, I freeze like a deer in headlights!
Isn’t that odd? I mean I am a perennial optimist. I have God as my best friend.
Yet, I am never prepared for suddenly feeling like a fish out of water!! And I am pretty aware.
In many situations like this, I REALLY don’t fit in (not my imagination).
Now, in many of those past instances I quickly extricated myself. That turned out to be WISE.
But boy do I DISLIKE that awkward feeling.
Now, if you have those awkward times, respect your own feelings.
I am telling myself during introspective times today ~ don’t go into shock when awkward or painful times come. Adjust your sails. Ride out that storm.
Hang on. No storm lasts forever. Sock hops end.
Youth group retreats bring healing. There is joy in finding your way.
Sending you wishes for hope and healing.
~ Simply Kate ❤