Part 3/6:
The Tightening Grip of Isolation
This avoidance ultimately leads to isolation. Smart kids may opt out of activities that cultivate connection, like team sports or group projects, fearing failure or insufficient skill. Consequently, they miss out on the shared experiences that typically foster friendships and camaraderie.
While they may still crave connection, they often rely on their intellect to navigate social interactions. This can result in a form of cognitive empathy, where they understand others’ feelings on a logical level but fail to engage emotionally. They may appear sociable but feel emotionally drained and disconnected, as their interactions become more about analyzing than relating.