Socializing is a skill — and like any skill, it develops with practice, patience and the right environment. If you want to help a young person (or yourself) feel more confident in a group, here are 5 simple activities that tend to work well, both inside and outside our meetups.
1. Introduction circles with guaranteed time
One of the biggest fears for someone who struggles to socialize is "not knowing what to say" or being interrupted. Circles where each person has a guaranteed bit of time to speak — without rushing, without interruption — help build confidence little by little.
2. Cooperative games (instead of competitive ones)
Games where the whole group wins or loses together take the weight off comparison with others. Instead of "who's better," the question becomes "how do we solve this together" — great for social practice without extra anxiety.
3. Focused activities instead of open conversation
Not everyone feels comfortable with "open chat." Activities with a clear goal — building something, drawing, solving a puzzle in pairs — give a concrete reason for interaction to happen, which tends to be easier than conversation with no direction.
4. A calm corner always available
It sounds counterintuitive, but having a space to step away when needed actually helps with socializing more: knowing you can leave and come back without judgment makes a person feel safer taking a risk within the group.
5. Repetition and predictable routine
Meetups with a similar structure (same opening, same phases, same type of activities) reduce the anxiety of "not knowing what will happen" — and that frees up mental energy to focus on the good part: being together.
None of these activities require anything beyond intention and a bit of planning — and this is exactly the kind of practice we use at every meetup.