Does anyone feel socially rusty after not talking to people for months?

[Diend]

I notice that I get really rusty when I don't talk to people for a while but every week I've been going to Friday Night Magic which is an event held by a store that sets you up with people for guaranteed social interaction through a card game called Magic the Gathering. I've been going there for a month now. Every week, twelve dollars, to play for 3 hours. I think it is helping me feel less uncomfortable in social situations. I really don't get a chance to talk to anybody throughout the week so I was wondering if anyone here also feels that they get more uncomfortable in social settings the more alone they are.

 

[jaim38]

This happened to me too. When I lived far away, I used to be alone a lot and when I talked to people every now and then, they tell me to speak up and I didn't realize how soft and quiet my voice has become. My throat became more phlegmy as well possibly due to underuse.

 

[vj288]

YES, this definitely happens to me. The less frequently I talk, the harder it is and usually the quieter my voice gets. I don't realize how quiet I talk when I do it infrequently. I can almost see the decline happening over time, it's not really like an overnight thing.

On the flip side I notice the rust comes off when I force myself to talk more and louder even when it's unnatural. Like talking to people sort of jump starts my confidence a little, reminding myself how to do it and that I'm capable of it as well. When I sit at home all day without talking to people I forget how it seems almost, without me realizing it.