I think for me, and maybe this should be obvious - what truly helps is having a good DM.
Because then you’re not just having a chance to ‘play’ at social interactions - you’re playing under the watch of a caring mediator. The DM is going to clarify things, guide the discussions and dialogues, suggest options, correct misassumptions, etc. - in a way that almost no one ever would IRL.
Play-acting social interaction isn’t really any less nerve wracking to me than having a ‘real’ interaction, because to me all interactions are acting anyway as far as I’m concerned. There isn’t any fundamental difference in terms of energy expended - unless someone else, e.g. the DM, is there to shoulder some of that workload. Then it’s a little easier, a little lower stakes.
to me all interactions are acting anyway as far as I’m concerned
I suspect this is a point that is often under-appreciated. I don’t have much else to add but it really can’t be overstated how accurate this is. Just wanted to highlight the statement since I think it expresses the idea well.
Comments
I think for me, and maybe this should be obvious - what truly helps is having a good DM.
Because then you’re not just having a chance to ‘play’ at social interactions - you’re playing under the watch of a caring mediator. The DM is going to clarify things, guide the discussions and dialogues, suggest options, correct misassumptions, etc. - in a way that almost no one ever would IRL.
Play-acting social interaction isn’t really any less nerve wracking to me than having a ‘real’ interaction, because to me all interactions are acting anyway as far as I’m concerned. There isn’t any fundamental difference in terms of energy expended - unless someone else, e.g. the DM, is there to shoulder some of that workload. Then it’s a little easier, a little lower stakes.
I suspect this is a point that is often under-appreciated. I don’t have much else to add but it really can’t be overstated how accurate this is. Just wanted to highlight the statement since I think it expresses the idea well.