Anyone struggle to develop friendships or conversation?

[Charlie1872]

Hi,

NC'd for this so please be kind. I am feeling sorry for myself.

I work permanently remote for a company which requires me to attend bi-annual conferences to meet the local team. This means I have to stay away from home for two days, two to three times a year.

I went to our conference today, there was around 80 staff. I found all the staff who are not remote get along great (understandably), and I really struggled to fit in. As I

apologies, it posted before I finished !

A lot of the staff work in the office together, however my team are remote. I found I really struggled today & felt like I was on my own a lot of the evening. I did try. It's strange because at my old work place, a small office, I seemed to really fit in, made amazing friends and we went out all the time, they came to my wedding, vice Versa and I would say I made friends for life.

I moved roles for career progression but I've realised I struggle to maintain conversion! And I'm in a relatively professional role (finance).

I feel as I'm usually so confident and talkative.

Well reading this I'm thinking you might have lost some confidence due to remote working, and this is changing the way you see things.

I expect that in your old job, you probably didn't form those friendships overnight. So it doesn't say anything about you that you did't make instant friends at the event. It sounds like the fact that some colleagues work together and therefore have established relationships probably heightens your sense of feeling out of place.

I wonder if you just may be a bit out of practice in a social setting? If you have been WFH you might have just adapted a bit and not be used to being as chatty as when you were in an office with people every day. Maybe you are a bit rusty and feeling a bit insecure?

This doesn't sound like a nice experience, but I am sure you do really still have your social skills!!