Now a junior in high school, I am around people every second who I have affiliated my self with at some instance and I am at the point where I am not sure if I am a socially awkward person or just naturally quiet. I have no problem going up and presenting in class (though a bit shaky or nervous) or greeting people and starting small talk but after the small talk on my part with fellow peers, I tend to lose the ability to keep a train of thought going. I just stop talking as if I never had in the first place. I feel weird about doing that but I have nothing else to talk about. With my girlfriend, I am not like this nor am I with certain groups of friends but others whom I have known and hung out with for a few years now by playing football I tend to not be the most social and I dont mean to come off as weird or anything. I tend to feel like I am almost trapped with my football team, that is some people, and I shouldn’t feel that way at all. My question is, do I exhort signs of social awkwardom or am I just a quiet person? If I do, how and when will I be able to overcome that obsticle?
You appear to be both. You need to learn social skills that can be used in non-intimate situations, which you seem to have no problem with. Lots of people are shy like you. That does not have to limit yourself in life. Focus on what you are good at and remind yourself constantly of your accomplishments. This will boost your confidence. If you have no accomplishments, get to work and achieve some! Join clubs, try out for a sport, or do whatever else you are good at that can provide interesting conversation with people you do not know well. Brush up on pop culture and stay on top of current events. This way, you will always have something to talk about. If all else fails, talk about the weather.
I’m the exact same way. You’re just quiet. Some people are just quiet people. Doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you.