What is a one-sentence summary of the following article?
If you start to think thoughts like "I'm not good enough," or "There's something wrong with me," say to yourself, "Stop! These are not productive thoughts, and I have the power to change my mindset." The first step to being confident in social situations is to change the thought patterns that give rise to insecurity. Harsh self-criticism is usually based on distorted thinking. Stop beating yourself up, remain objective, and challenge distorted thoughts. Don't dwell on past relationships or think of them as "failures." Accept the fact that you can't change the past. Instead, move on and seize opportunities to become a more fulfilled and fruitful person. You don't have to be perfect to form new platonic or romantic relationships. In fact, being open and honest about vulnerabilities is how people bond with each other. Accept your imperfections, work on what you can change, and show yourself some compassion. Try not to fear being rejected. If things don't work out with a potential friend or partner, don't assume that it's your fault or there's something wrong with you. Sometimes people are incompatible, have a misunderstanding, or are just in a bad mood. It might feel stressful and risky, but you have to meet and interact with people in order to curb loneliness. Put yourself out there and make connections with new people. With each baby step, you'll get a little more comfortable in your own skin. Challenge yourself to try new things, to talk to new people, and to engage in unfamiliar situations. If your coworkers invite you out after work, take them up on their offer. If you're in line at the store, strike up conversation with the person next to you or with the cashier. If you're anxious about awkward silences or not knowing what to say, just ask questions. Most people like talking about themselves, so asking questions is a good way to get a conversation flowing. You could ask someone "What do you do for work," or "Have you seen any good movies lately?" If you're at a party, you could ask, "So how do you know the host?" While waiting for class to start, you could ask the person next to you, "How about that pop quiz yesterday? It really pulled the rug right out from under me!" Set reasonable expectations, and work on improving your social confidence one step at a time. For instance, you could start by smiling and waving at a neighbor while walking down the street. The next time you see your neighbor, you could introduce yourself and take a minute to chat. You could talk about the neighborhood, say how cute their dog is, or compliment their garden. As you become friendly, you could invite them over for coffee or tea
Redirect negative, critical thoughts. Work on making yourself vulnerable. Take healthy social risks. Spur conversations by asking questions. Build your confidence in social settings gradually.