How can I stop myself from feeling awkward in social settings?

Feeling awkward is normal and healthy. You might not be able to guess it but in every social setting, there is probably someone feeling the same way you are. It can be really overwhelming and isolating to feel like the only person feeling awkward but it is part of being a person. Which can be really difficult, it can be helpful to "challenge" yourself within your comfort zone by opening up to a friend about how you feel, they can help act as a security for you and help you feel more comfortable. However you act and feel is valid and it can help to do listening exercises to relax too.

I think that what makes us most awkward in social settings is how we see ourselves compared to others or how we think others see us. We think way forward into a conversation that hasn't happened yet and already imagine ourselves in an embarrassing position or not being as cool as we imagine ourselves to be. But all of that hasn't really happened yet and it then prevents us from even attempting to make a proper introduction and be comfortable with who we are. Even if there could be merit that we are a lot different than others in a particular situation, what does it matter what others think, as long as we're decent people and enjoy ourselves?