How did you learn to socialise? I am genuinely curious, because I got to thinking about my youth and the way I've been around people. Personally I didn't learn to really connect with people. Or find a place in a community. So I just tried to figure out how to be... Thinking about my school years, learning to be with other kids... Thinking about my mother and my grandparents, and family, learning to be with elders.... Thinking about peer, both in my private life and professional life, learning to find my place there... Thinking about my somewhat chaotic youth and young adulthood, with less than desired self control (and compassion). How did I learn...? What was I taught directly, and what did I pick up subconsciously? Honestly, I don't feel like I was taught any proper socialising skills. And I am not blaming anyone, just pondering. But I feel, looking back, that some support in communication, emotional regulation and mutuality could have gone a long way... Fortunately that's where I am now. And learning for myself, and sharing my thoughts about. But I'm genuinely curious to hear your thoughts about where you learned to socialise... And is there a difference, being a man, woman, agender, etc? As we learn...? #curiosity #community #connection

“Proper socializing skills” is an interesting phrase. What if the “proper” way is the way that works for you? We are all wired differently, with our own operating systems, so why should the same approaches work for us all? Like you, I grew up around a lot of adults that were my parents’ friends, as well as the kids at school, but I felt that neither were my “tribe”. I developed a hybrid way of socializing based on observations of not only how they interacted with me, but also each other. I eventually grew to the point where I was comfortable with the fact that I WAS different. Not better or worse, just different. I enjoy time interacting with people, but I enjoy my time alone just as much.