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Why Embracing the Awkward Silence Can Make You a Better Conversationalist

Maria Yasir
3 min readSep 16, 2023

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Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

We need to talk about something that’s universally experienced but rarely discussed: awkward silences.

You know, those moments when the conversation hits a roadblock, and you’re both desperately searching for something to say? Yeah, we’ve all been there.

But what if I told you that embracing these cringe-worthy pauses could actually make you a better communicator?

Let’s dive in!

1. The Pressure Cooker Effect

Picture this: You’re chatting with someone, and suddenly, it feels like the conversation is about to nosedive into a pit of silence. The tension starts building, and you both scramble to find a topic.

Sound familiar?

Well, here’s the deal. Awkward silences are like pressure cookers for creativity. When you ease up on the pressure to fill the gap, your brain can actually come up with more interesting things to say.

Real-Life Tip: When an awkward silence rears its head, take a deep breath and relax. Let the conversation flow naturally. You’ll be amazed at the cool topics that emerge.

2. The Power of Pausing

Ever noticed how some of the best speakers, like TED Talk pros, use pauses…

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Maria Yasir
Maria Yasir

Written by Maria Yasir

Content writer, passionate wordsmith, my writing journey is a blend of imagination and introspection. Welcome to my writing sanctuary!

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