“Why do I blank out sometimes?”

“Why do I blank out sometimes?” We’ve all walked into a room looking to meet new people and make friends. But once you say “hello” and offer a quick introduction, your mind goes blank. Completely black.

You start to wonder, “Why does my mind go blank?” or “Why do I blank out sometimes?”

You start sweating, your stomach starts to squeeze, run to the nearest corner, and have no idea what happened. “Why do I blank out?” “I don’t know what to say!” What happened??? The mind plays tricks on you sometimes and you have no idea why. However, we have answers for you. Below, we talk about the main reasons your mind sometimes goes blank.

We don’t ever want you to say again, “Why do I blank out sometimes?” But, we at least want to give you the ability to understand and have tools to manage a foggy mind. Let’s go!

1. A major reason you blank out sometimes … Anxiety

There is no other feeling that makes you feel small, embarrassed, and nervous than anxiety does. If you’re feeling nervous or don’t know what to say during a conversation, know that you’re not alone and we certainly want to help you. If you think you have symptoms of anxiety, take a test here to confirm.

Sometimes a big project at work or stress from family can give you a lot of anxiety giving you brain fog. It’s common when were under a lot of stress or feel burnt out, to forget. Take a look below at some solutions to deal with anxiety. If things don’t get better seek a professional. 

2. You’re feeling judged when you talk to people 

Nobody likes feeling judged, especially when we’re talking to a friend or someone new. If we assume we’re being judged about what we’re saying, we might believe what we’re saying is wrong or they’re secretly laughing at us. Our minds will go into overdrive and completely blank out. 

However, you can get past this. Now, the key is to build your confidence and trust in yourself, especially when having conversations with people. Again, remind yourself your opinion is just as valid as anyone else’s and you have something valuable to bring to a conversation. lastly, take deep breaths if you need to, and remember if someone doesn’t agree with what you say, it doesn’t mean they’re judging you or that your opinion isn’t valid.

3. You worry about the conversation itself

Sometimes before the conversation even starts we manufacture all the things that can go wrong. Anxiety creeps in and we worry about what we’ll say and how the conversation will go. 

Now, rather than worrying about what the other person thinks of you, start by asking questions, giving compliments, or sharing stories. This takes some pressure off you. Again, this can keep the dialogue going and prevent your mind from going blank. Finally, don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t always manage to find the perfect words. Just keep trying and eventually you’ll find your voice – and it will be worth it!

4. Feeling overwhelmed causes your mind to blank 

We’ve all had those moments when feeling fear and then our mind suddenly blanks out. Or, you’re in the middle of a conversation, and you know what you want to say, but the words just won’t come out. It can be incredibly frustrating, and you might find yourself getting anxious and completely overwhelmed. But it’s important to remember that this is a perfectly normal experience, and there are ways that you can begin to address it.

First, take some deep breaths and give yourself a few moments to calm down. This will help you to regain focus and clarity. Next, try to identify what exactly is causing you to feel afraid at that moment (we talk more about this below). Is it a person or situation? Once you have identified this, it will be easier for you to tackle the fear head-on and have fewer moments where you say, “why do I blank out sometimes?”

5. Thoughts crash all at once causes mind anxiety 

We’ve all been there: having so many thoughts rushing through our minds that it feels like our brain has just gone blank. It can be incredibly frustrating, especially when we’re trying to focus on a task or project at hand. It’s like a never-ending cycle of thoughts that keep us from productivity. So, how can we break out of this cycle and get back on track?

First, recognize it’s ok to have a lot of thoughts, but take note of them and prioritize which ones need to be addressed first. Taking a few moments to organize your thoughts can help you focus. Additionally, take a break if needed and practice mindfulness and stay present in the moment. This will help you clear your head and focus on the task at hand without feeling overwhelmed. 

6. You’re feeling afraid in social situations

Recognize that fear is a natural emotion and it can actually be helpful in certain circumstances. Once you’ve done this, start by speaking slowly and confidently. This will help to build your confidence and give you some space to think about what you want to say next.

Finally, remember fear doesn’t have to be a barrier. With practice and patience, it’s possible to overcome the fear and communicate with ease. When feeling afraid your mind can blank out causing you to not know what to say, but with these steps in mind, the next moment won’t be so daunting!

7. Depression makes your mind blank out

Feeling depressed can be daunting to admit and an overwhelming experience. It can lead to a sense of hopelessness, and in some cases, it can even make it feel like your mind has gone blank. It’s important to remember that depression is treatable and that you are never alone in your struggles. Also, one of the most effective ways to combat depression is to step away from the situation and take some time for yourself. 

Additionally, talking through your feelings with a trusted friend or loved one can help you gain clarity and perspective about your situation. Finally, seeking professional help can assist you in learning how to cope with depression and develop strategies for managing it. Remember, you are not alone in this fight and there are many resources available to help you.

Identify the causes of why you sometimes blank out

Understanding the cause of why your blanking out, especially in a social situation can help you figure out how to address it more effectively. For example, maybe it’s a big project at work or a recent breakup. 

If you can’t quite figure out what’s creating all the fogginess in your mind, working with a therapist can be a big help.

“Freeze response” causes mind blank anxiety

If you’re feeling any of the above, you also might be reacting to the fight-flight-freeze reaction. It’s a rapid-fire, automatic, body response we go through when we are in “danger”, or your mind thinks you’re in danger.

Your brain is panicking under pressure. Your brain and body are overruling “slower, more reasoned thought” when it perceives you’re in a dangerous situation so that you can react quickly and get out of harm’s way. Most of the time you’re not in a dangerous situation when this happens. Most times it’s a stressful but safe moment.

Solutions to help your mind from going blank

1. Meditation can be very helpful to reduce anxiety or nervousness

If you’re anxious, tense, or worried, try meditation. Spending even a few minutes a day meditating can help calm your nerves. Anyone can practice meditation because it’s guided, simple, and inexpensive. Practice meditation when out for a walk, at lunch, and even in the middle of a difficult work meeting.

2. Practicing positive thinking and adapting your mindset

Changing your mindset and becoming more positive about social interaction can take your social skills to the next level. This is something we talk a lot about in our free tool guide here. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Positive thinking doesn’t mean that you keep your head in the sand and ignore life’s less pleasant situations. Positive thinking just means that you approach unpleasantness in a more positive and productive way. You think the best is going to happen, not the worst.” 

3. Have conversation starters ready

A thoughtful conversation starter can change the direction of a discussion within seconds, taking your conversation game to a new level. It can be the difference between going on a second date with a romantic partner or and being liked at work.

That’s why it’s important to have a variety of conversation starters ready to go! It will help you form connections with co-workers, customers, partners, or anyone you meet at a social event more easily than you are now. The ability to start a conversation translates to more opportunities and more meaningful relationships in your life. It’s a game-changer.

4. Practice and Prepare before being social

Before a conversation starts, think about what you’re going to say to the potential person you’ll be conversating with. Social interaction is easier and can help reduce anxiety, and make you more confident if you prepare.

This is the most impactful conversation tactic you can use in every conversation is asking open-ended questions. A broad question typically generates far more engaging answers than a yes or no question.

Here are more examples if you want to learn how to keep the conversation flowing and open-ended questions. 

5. Go to social events where you feel comfortable

A question you should always be asking yourself is, “where’s the best place to meet people?” Or, “Where do I thrive the most?”

Don’t drag yourself to places you think will be depressing or drain you of energy. Socializing should be fun and enjoyable. If you feel positive towards the social event your mind will go blank much less. 

6. Have a couple general conversation starters memorized

If you know your mind might go blank, always have a few conversation starters memorized ready to go. Below are a few examples you can use to start conversations more easily. Feel free to tailor the examples to what you think will best fit your conversation:

“Hey, I’m John, it’s great to meet you. What a great happy hour! Who do you know here?
“Hi, Jess, great to see you here! What do you think of this event so far?”
“I love your shoes. Do you mind sharing where you got them?”
“Your lunch looks and smells delicious. How did you make it?”
“Beautiful weather, isn’t it? What are your plans for this beautiful day?”

The above examples will help you think of ideas on how to begin or alter the start of your conversations. Remember to make it a habit to practice daily. If you say almost anything with confidence, you’ll be able to create and start a conversation easier than you think.

7. Get professional help if it feels serious

Now, take a few moments to think about what your dominant thoughts are. If they’re mainly negative, maybe you need to work on self-talk.

Also, seek professional help if you think you need more guidance on anxiety.