Please tell me how to breezily end conversations?

[overweightcat]

I'm a socially awkward sloth on the inside and I don't have many friends (moving areas a few times and all that contributed), I used to be able to make friends easier but now I'm older and have DCs it's much harder and I find myself lacking social skills and my mind always goes blank when I actually need it to work.

Example today, I bumped into a lady today, she's lovely, we've socialised multiple times before but in a bigger group as she's married to DPs old friend and we all have DCs so it's usually a bigger get together.
We chatted for a bit which I felt like I was a bit boring with what I had to say anyway (she did not give off that vibe she's lovely and polite btw) and then I wanted to wave her off as she had a baby with her and I know she was just being polite at that point but I couldn't find a nice, polite way to say "I'm off bye" and ended up just waffling on with her for another few minutes about nothing in particular until she said she better get off.

Can anyone give me some pointers for conversations and ending them?
I struggle to progress relationships with people past just a slightly awkward polite chat.

The simple ‘right, I better leave you to it...’

‘Well, I’ll let you get on. Lovely to talk to you’ works pretty well in most situations.

I am exactly the same. I don’t seem to know how to end without waffling.

People sometimes say, “I’d better let you get on” which drives me mad tbh! I usually say, “I’d better crack on, got to x or y [depending on how interesting it is!”

'Well it's been lovely to see you but I better get on...'

'Really glad you're keeping well, hopefully we'll bump into each other again soon...'

Just run.

Seriously though, I felt this too as I got older. I think it’s because we end up with more friends who we have because of vague circumstance rather than common interest so it’s just trickier.

As above
‘I’ll let you get on’ or ‘I best get on’

The phrases are good but I just feel weird being in a conversation which is obviously running its course and just kind of cutting it off IYSWIM?
I don't want to come across as rude but I can imagine I'm probably coming across as a waffler/boring/awkward instead.

As everyone else has said. Something like 'it's been lovely to see you, but I'd best get on' to which they will inevitably say 'ah yes, lovely to see you too, bye then!'

@overweightcat

The phrases are good but I just feel weird being in a conversation which is obviously running its course and just kind of cutting it off IYSWIM? I don't want to come across as rude but I can imagine I'm probably coming across as a waffler/boring/awkward instead.

You won't be rude unless you cut the person off mid sentence.

She showed you herself.

"Well, better get on"

As soon as they pause for breath, take a step backwards and say "So sorry, it's been so lovely seeing you again, must go, hope it won't be so long next time, byeee".

Would skip the “it’s been lovely”, unless it has it’s insincere and unnecessary.

Would just say ‘see you later!’

‘Sorry’ is also inappropriate! Implies that the person you’re talking to is hanging on for your company.

You might feel weird doing it but it is how most people do it, as shown by the answers.

My problem is not saying it straight after someone says hello

Normally I'll do "I'll let you go, have a good day" or "I best get going, see you soon/later."
One school mum who I used to know used to talk at me, anything I said went over her head and in the end I used to say "see you later" and walk off. It felt so rude doing it at first as this woman would be mid flow but she just wouldn't stop.

I tend to go with checking my phone, saying "oh my, how is it x time already? I'd better be getting on, it was good seeing you".

It takes practice, but once you're used to "Anyway, I'll let you go", it works wonders.

The other one I use if I've been unable to wriggle away from a real talker is "sigh - god, look at us, I swear I'd chat all day given half the chance! I best let you get on with your garden/shopping/whatever, good luck with [the thing they won't bloody shut up about] and we'll have to catch up properly never soon". Breezy breezy breezy, smile and wave, and you're freeee!

"now piss off"

Don’t stop in the first place! Smile say hello and keep walking! Otherwise SummerHouse’s suggestion sounds good! 😂

Yes, I am a miserable cow 🤭😀😂

"I'm bored now. Goodbye"

But seriously, "I'll let you get on" is fine - it's socially acceptable and people won't give it a second thought.

Just run off. They will think you are way more interesting

I hate this situation too- I too am an awkward waffler. I do say, "I'll let you get on," or, "best get on then..." don't stress about it.

"You know what? This is such an interesting and fascinating conversation. However, I am conscious that I must unfortunately move on. Let's carry this on at another time as I will be delighted to pick your brains further on this as we must mutually agree a time to give this topic justice!"

Then just smile and run for the hills as if Corona has just arrived!!!

Or short version:

"Wow fascinating but oh is that the time? It's been fun but must dash!"

I usually say, "it was lovely seeing you. See you later".