How to Meet New People (For the Anxious or the Eager)

Being eager to meet new people is not a bad thing, but it can backfire. Being motivated and excited gives people the energy and drive to seek out new people, but for some, because they end up caring so much, anxiety sneaks in.

Here, fear does not stop them from trying; rather, it complicates things. To these people, forming new relationships is exciting yet nerve-wracking. This can be due to fear of judgement, overthinking, past awful experiences or the fear of opening up. The focus for these groups of people should be on ensuring the anxiety does not overshadow their eagerness.  They can do this by recharging after social activities, where they can reflect on their interactions after and not during and focusing on the positives and not what went awkwardly. They can also express friendliness nonverbally, through body language and tone. 

In conclusion, by reframing expectations and building comfort through small, steady exposures, they can let eagerness shine without being dragged down by fear.

Written by: Jovan Chow

01/2026

References

Misner, I., & Misner, I. (2021, January 21). Why people resist networking | Dr. Ivan Misner®. Dr. Ivan Misner® | Business Networking. https://ivanmisner.com/why-people-resist-networking/