postr/StutterJune 16, 2023

Social intelligence

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Content

Social intelligence (TLDR at the bottom) I sometimes come across tips or information on how to have better conversations or be more charismatic/charming etc., but I feel like these tips or guides or whatever I should call them aren't really relevant to me as a stutterer. It feels a bit like I'm trying to take a university course before even finishing elementary school. It's like I've never been able to practice these "skills", maybe partly because I've been avoiding many social interactions, but also because my focus during conversation is more like trying to be as fluent as possible or trying to find the right timing when joining a conversation between more than two people. I googled "social intelligence", and one link listed some abilities of socially intelligent people. The first point on the list was literally "Verbal and non-verbal fluency". I feel like I've lost here already. One particular topic I came across was the aspect of reading a person's body language. I think I have a mild to moderate stutter, but one problem I have is that I pretty much always close my eyes while I stutter. This makes it pretty much impossible for me to read body language while in conversation, although I can of course watch their body language while listening to them, but I probably miss a big part of it when it's my "turn" to speak. I also feel like I'm behind on the "listening to other people" part, because I often feel like I have to put too much thought into what I myself am going to say, like, hesitating to say something because I know I will stutter more on that particular word. I often find myself wandering into my own thoughts instead of listening to the conversation. There are probably more examples I can give as to why these "social skills guides" are somewhat irrelevant to me, but I can't think of anything more right now. My stuttering makes me feel a bit "slow in the thought" or "socially unintelligent". TLDR: What are your thoughts on social skills courses/tips/guides, are you able to apply some of the advice or do you feel like you are too busy dealing with your speech or something else?

Themes

Anticipation & AvoidanceEmotional ExperienceSocial & Relationships

Subthemes

Overthinking & MonitoringAnxiety & Social JudgmentLoneliness & Isolation