Problem With Ending Conversations Awkwardly

I've been having a problem with ending conversations lately, especially at work. When someone is making small talk with me, I'll start to get anxious when we start to run out of things to say. I don't know how to end it and don't want to stand around awkwardly trying to think of something appropriate to say so I usually just walk away. But this doesn't feel right either since the conversation isn't really over, I'm just getting away before it gets to that point. Then I feel kind of silly/bad for just walking away and am left wondering if the person I was talking to was offended or is wondering what is wrong with me. Anybody ever go through this?

I do the same thing, my panic level slowly rises until I just have to break the conversation off, or else face the torturous silence of extreme self-consciousness.

A therapist once told me to focus on the other person, and to bat the onus back to them as often as possible, and this is a pretty good tactic since most people like to talk about themselves in the first place.

Still, the possibility of dead air looms at the end of the dial, and I rarely sign-off on time. My conversations usually end with indiscernible mumbling and me tottering away like Peter Falk in Columbo, or at least that's what it feels like.

I can remember a couple of instances of visiting people and not knowing what to say in order to end the visit and exit the house...so staying longer than I wanted and awkwardly mumbling something and leaving out of desperation :blushing:

I also have problems of ending the conversation.. And I also run out of things to say or ask a person.. I sometimes even get weird stomach aches when I am having a conversation with a person..

I go through this as well. It's sooo awkward. I tend to smile stupidly when I don't know what to say. I try to gracefully slide away from the situation, but it is never a smooth exit. Things get really awkward on the phone. I feel so much pressure to keep the conversation moving at a steady pace and to keep it interesting. More often than not, the other person will be the one to cut things off. I don't make many calls.

im really not good at knowing how to end a conversation, and also not good at knowing how to leave a social situation.

i like to be just like "well, it was nice talking to you, but I have to get back to X" or "it was nice seeing you guys. i'm going to get going. bye", but people tend to like to keep talking. having already used what i thought was my "exit line", i usually end up feeling extremely awkward and acting awkward cause I dont know what to do now. they keep talking, but i want to leave.

It happens with me too. Mostly on the phone.
There was a time I was much more extrovert, but still awkward in many conversations.

It takes time and practice. Better observe people with good social skills and learn from them. I was just watching an YouTube video last week about charisma, and one of the things they mentioned is how succesful people tend to learn how to finish conversations by learning the last words great sellers or enterpreneurs use when they talk. But that's just for business.

I wish I was better at daily small talk.

I sometimes forget to breathe when I am having a conversation with someone..

At work say "we should get back to work". In your personal life say "I have to get going but it was nice talking to you. We will have to talk again".

Yes, awkward encounters and endings just seems to be more normal than not sometimes, but at least the people here are trying! Due to anxiety and depression, I tend to regret or worry about innapropriate disclosures or mannerisms, but so far no one has called me on it. I've struggled with the feeling of panic, but talking to nicer people is helping me feel more accepted. I find it very hard to relax my guard, or grow close to anyone, even family.

Having worked professionally on phones, I've found that a confident, "OK, it was nice talking to you. I must get on to the next thing", is not offensive, but honest. This works with family and friends too. A "Bye" in person seems fine, even with an aloof lack of eye contact, so long as one is friendly.

Genuine laughter, humor, and enjoyment seem to help keep intensity at bay. Some successful(and happy) professionals I know seem to have this quality at work.

I also get very anxious when I sense that a conversation is coming to an end and have no idea how to end it and move away. I always have this silly feeling that I should say something funny and depart with a shared laugh, but I can't do that because I get so worried about saying something funny that my sense of humour is not there anymore. Ironic, right?

That seems like absolute torture. I was told by a doctor who I confided in, that I hide my anxiety and depression really well. I don't have a problem ending conversations, but there are days when my anxiety level maybe higher than the other day. Because of this, when I have a day when I'm anxious or depressed, I might be less talkative.
I combat my anxiety around co-workers with humour and trying to subtly look busy because you don't want the other person to misunderstand your awkwardness of ending the conversation with you being standoffish. I find that helps me somewhat. I guess subconsciously, I feel that if I make a joke or if I'm smiling, people will not suspect I have depression and anxiety.
Also, when you are conversing with someone, and yo feel what you think is awkward silence may not be that at all. Sometimes, when there is nothing left to say, it's just simply that. The conversation has just been exhausted. At that point you just end it off with a simple light hearted joke or "yeah, that's right." And continue doing or going with what you were going to go or do.

I'm finding it difficult to keep people interested in talking to me.

Sometimes I think I may be too selfish and look like I only think about myself and barely ask about their interests. But in other situations I may be too nice, and look like I'm too anxious for approval. And I tend to be too logical, and may be boring. I used to have a better sense of humour and people enjoyed my sarcasm.

Funny thing is that I keep saying how people are becoming robotic, selfish and cold, but upon some reflection I'm starting to think I may be narcissistic myself and very insecure when meeting new people with similar interests.

It's hard to earn respect these days and keep people interested. I'll keep trying to improve as much as I can and try to
find some balance.

@Deco, I often find that I really have that problem with keeping men I have an interest in interested. I think it's often due to my constant over analyzing. Example: trying so hard to be liked, I overdue it in trying to please the opposite sex. I've learned from my prior romantic failures to just be myself, and it's okay to disagree with the guy I'm dating.
(Sigh) I envy people who don't have to worry about the things we worry about.