I’ve always been more of an introverted person. When I meet people at work or outside, I usually stay reserved until I get comfortable with their vibe. Once I do, I become much more open and talkative.
The thing is, I’m very conscious about not making others uncomfortable especially women. Because of that, I tend to keep my distance and avoid initiating conversations, even in normal situations. I don’t want to come across as intrusive or send the wrong signal.
But lately I’ve been thinking that I might be going too far with this. I sometimes feel like I’ve missed chances to connect with good people simply because I stayed too closed off. Even with colleagues, I keep interactions quite limited unless absolutely necessary.
I’m starting to feel like my boundaries have become too rigid, and it’s holding me back socially.
How do I find a balance between being respectful of personal space and still being open and approachable?