Making friends online is easy most times but transitioning to real-life friends is daunting. Our insecurities come up and we feel uncomfortable and unwilling to cross that line. We miss out on many potential friends because we wonder "Will they be turned off by my appearance? Will my voice sound bad? Will I be as clever as I am behind the keyboard?
Here's how you put those worries to rest and get real with online friends.
Take the risk
Scary as it may be, meeting them will deepen your connection. Whatever bonding you have done over devices and gadgets, will only deepen in person. Instead of looking at it as a meeting of real versions of yourselves, look at it as a way to deepen the connection.
Don't worry about coming off differently than you portrayed yourself. It is inevitable but also understandable. Give yourself a break!
Keep your expectations low
Focus on the positive aspects of yourself and the experience. Encourage yourself and tell yourself that you will be okay. Don't go in with expectations for the other person, rather focus on showing your best and true self without judging or criticising yourself.
This way, you will be more open, relaxed, and honest.
Remember this is a first meeting, and you are not going to become best friends immediately. Focus on showing your strengths in character and personality.
Most importantly, listen and keep a balanced conversation.
Plan to meet over and over
Chances are you are not going to be comfortable after the first meeting. Meet with them again in shorter interactions until you get used to them and become comfortable with each other. Plan small get-togethers like coffee, a common interest or hobby.
It is okay to feel anxious and uncomfortable in new social situations, and it takes time for this to go down. So your connection will grow as your guard goes down.
See how you feel and how you feel after hanging out
It's okay to check on your friend because they may be experiencing similar feelings of awkwardness or 'it' being weird. A simple appreciation message and an indication that you want to do it again can go a long way.
Unless they told you that they don't want to be your friend, don't assume the worst. Don't beat yourself up over mistakes and awkward moments. Imagine yourself as the other person, would you let them think so harshly about your encounter? Highly doubt it. So don't do it to yourself.
Be proud of yourself for doing it
Yes, you may find yourself focusing on the negative, but find space to appreciate the positive. Appreciate everything that went right. If the other person cannot hang out soon after a meeting, don't fuss over it. Trust that you did your best and let them be.
If you find out that the person is not as good as you thought, it is not your fault. You have put yourself out there for the better and now you can handle it. If the friendship turn out to be great online and not in real life, you can fall back into it.