How to stay 'conscious' when interacting with people?

[skydust]

I've been wondering this for a long time now.. Observing one's emotions and mind is a doable task when completely alone and undisturbed and I feel like I can do it fairly comfortably. However, as soon as I am surrounded by distracting things, and especially when having to have conversations with people and pay attention to something else, I can't seem to maintain that self awareness throughout. My mind tends to switch back to autopilot and respond from old patterns rather than the new ones I am working on cultivating.

How do you do this? How do you stay aware of yourself when interacting with people? (Without seeming like a total weirdo taking ages to reply because you have to check in with yourself first?)

Would be very helpful to hear people's experience on this, and Erin, yours too if you have any input!

Thanks

Sorry, I just realised I posted this in the wrong forum! Oops.. Would a mod be kind enough to move it to Spirituality, Consciousness, & Awareness or someplace suitable for me?

[Mynder]

Stop worrying about coming across as strange, and notice that many people will actually think well of you if you take some time to actually think through what they tell you, then decide from having thought about it.

Also, not every situation is about you and your behavior. So it will not be a problem that often.

[skydust]

Thanks Mynder, that actually worked

[Mynder]

Taking time to listen, and giving others the feeling that you truly do listen and care about what they say, is a very powerful thing. Nevermind that you spend a few seconds of that time to observe your own reactions, people are usually too busy with their own thoughts to worry too much about yours.

Glad it worked so well for you! :-)