I can never think of what to say to people, my mind is always empty
I can never think of anything to say when people talk to me, in conversations like at work and even with family. This happens with everyone, even the people I am most comfortable with. Its like my mind is just blank and empty and I have no thoughts or opinions. All I can do is nod or be like "yeah", "ah yeah", "thats good" etc.
Its so tiring and I worry there is something wrong with my brain. Like im just really mentally slow or something. I do have some social anxiety, though its nowhere near what it was when I was a kid and in my 20s (in 30s now). I just cant make jokes or give advice to people or anything like that, or just know what to say. I can never have a proper conversation, it's always so broken up.
It feels lonely as people will just leave me out at work now. They have tried, but because I never have anything to say they know what im like now, so they feel its pointless talking to me, so I don't blame them. Its really isolating.
But I wonder why I get this with family too. Maybe my brain is just wired differently, or im just too slow, or the social anxiety from when I was younger gave me this mental block. Does anyone have any advice on how to lift this?