I feel like a creep

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As hard as I try to make and keep friendships I struggle to maintain them. I am always so focused on what to say and not to say. I keep my body language as neutral as possible. I am often very quiet and reserved. I am so worried about saying the wrong thing or giving the wrong body language that I think it makes me come across as awkward. Hallmark aspergers I believe! How can I be my authentic aelf and not come across as creepy? No one has called me a creep, but I just get this feeling sometimes. I really want to put people at ease, not cause them unease. I know I am not alone in this and am curious about others experiences.

Some people mask or assume a persona to function with others. Even if done successfully, it can be unsatisfying. You might consider that when meeting someone new that you declare a character or two such as, "I tend to get too focused or intense sometimes and that can be a problem for me. It is ironic because as I focus in one area, I can neglect another. It's like being that Cyclops character in the X-men."

This can serve to warn someone about the characteristics you have, but in a way that is semi-humorous. later as situations arise where you have been too focused or neglectful, you can excuse it with, I am really sorry, that is my Cyclops power again.

If you can be relaxed about it, others may take it more in stride.

Unless you do some really inappropriate things if you don't obsess about every little thing you should or should not do, you're probably making things worse and not better by inhibiting yourself that much. Being a little awkward sometimes may not be that bad. Your authentic awkwardness might be more pleasant than the repressed, worried awkwardness you replace it with. At the very least overthinking your every word and trying to be as neutral as possible will make you boring. You also can not practice your social skills and get better if you don't interact in a real way with others and learn how different behaviors come across.