The Networking Event Nightmare — When Small Talk Becomes Soul Talk

You walk into another industry mixer. Everyone’s smiling, pitching, posturing. You shake hands, nod politely, exchange cards. And inside, you’re thinking: I don’t care about any of this.

If that’s you, it’s not because you’re antisocial. It’s because you’re misaligned.

When you’re in the right field, networking feels like connection. When you’re in the wrong one, it feels like acting. Every conversation becomes a performance — and every smile costs energy.

We’re taught that networking is essential for growth. And it is — when it’s authentic. But forcing excitement for an industry that drains you isn’t networking. It’s pretending. And pretending is exhausting.

If you dread networking events, it’s not a social skills issue — it’s a purpose issue. You’ve outgrown the environment, but you’re still playing the part.

Imagine instead being surrounded by people who light you up. Conversations that inspire new ideas. Collaborations that excite you. When you’re aligned with your mission, connection happens naturally. You don’t network — you magnetize.

The discomfort you feel in those rooms isn’t failure. It’s feedback. It’s your inner compass telling you you’re facing the wrong direction.

Life’s too short to fake enthusiasm for your own career. Find the rooms that feel like home — the ones where your curiosity comes alive again.

That’s where your next chapter begins.