Nobody Likes Awkward Silence

   Awkward silence. People often assume silence = something's wrong, even when there's no real reason. Even small pauses that last for only a moment feel bigger than they are. It's like we NEED social smoothness. 

    Well, we do. The human brain is wired to avoid tension in group settings and we learn early on that constant flow is key to a good conversation. This is why when one person stops talking, someone else feels pressure to "fix" it.

    Some people laugh, even when nothing is funny while others may suddenly remember something random and just say it to fill the space. Most people default to asking obvious questions like "...so... how was your day?" or "what are you doing next weekend?" Sometimes someone will repeat something that's already been said just to keep the conversation moving.

    People feel that silence is "obvious" and that everyone is judging them. But in reality, a big part of awkward silence comes from worrying about how others are interpreting the moment. In other words, it's not the silence itself that's stressful, but what you think the silence means.