You know I'm really proud of myself. I'm reaching a lot of goals and I'm reaching out past my comfort zones--especially when it comes to meeting new people. If you know me, you know I feel awkward with new people unless I'm in my "comfort" zone. This can mean several things--it could mean that I'm in my own house/parent's house. It could mean that we're doing an activity that I'm good at or excited about. It could mean that we're talking about a subject that I'm knowledgeable or comfortable with. It could mean that I'm with people that I know and can therefore be myself with. It's usually one of those things, although there's probably more. But this year, I did and am doing things that have been completely out of my comfort zone.
1. Joined a small group.
This was with my bff so there was safety there, but it still made me feel SUPER nervous. I still laugh when I remember us driving up to the pub to "hang out" afterwards and then walking quickly away when we saw there was nobody we knew and no seats available haha. But we did join the small group, and that was a big step.
2. Formed a game night.
This is something that I'm still developing and working on--with peoples schedules and such we don't get together as often as I'd like, but whenever we do, it's a blast. I've met several new people that I've enjoyed getting to know, and we're scheduling a new game night as I type. So, it's still going. Craigslist is useful for so many things...
3. Joined a book club
This, is something that I'm doing completely on my own. I don't have any friends who are doing it with me...which in the first two cases I had people I knew there. Our first meeting is Aug 2nd (I missed the org meeting because of that damn stomach flu), but I've already felt the benefit from it because of the recommended book--I loved it. I'm so excited (and nervous) to meet these girls and hopefully connect on an intellectual level :)
4. Joined a poker night
I just recently did this today, and I'm super nervous and excited for this as well. I play poker with a good friend and his buddies all the time, but it's so inconsistent and I really wanted to find a more stable game. Whelp, I found one right here in Wallingford that meets every Tuesday. The guy I talked to said it's mostly men, but that there are some girls who are apart of the group. Hopefully it won't be too awkward--but if it is, I can just stop going. I definitely want to try it though...plus I love poker.
I'm really proud that I'm slowly stepping out of my comfort zones, and making an effort to get to know new people and tap into activities I love. One thing, that I've realized as I've done this, is that the game groups, the book groups, etc. are not a substitution for that group of believers who share the same faith as me. I still want to find a group of people that I meld well with and grow close to. I can't remember that last time I talked about my faith with someone (well, ok yes I can but not in a mutually edifying sort of way, it was more in an, answering questions about my faith and what I believed sort of way), and I miss that challenging, life affirming connection with people.
So, I'm making it a goal to make it to church on Sundays...this Sunday will be my parents church as I'm going home for the weekend but next Sunday I think I'm going to make an effort to go to Bethany again. They're introducing new "community groups" where you get together and do activities...trying to rectify the fact that you can go there for a year and still not be connected to the church--which has been my experience in the past. Anyway, it's just another learned lesson for me--if I don't go for it, try it, do something about it...nothing will happen. So I'm going for it. I'm going to be fearless.
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