For the first time in a while I will be attending a gathering of many fantastic people later this fall and I couldn't be more excited. I'm terrible at keeping in touch with all of them but they are all extremely important to me and that's why I'm so excited to see everyone. They are the living proof that I, who is ridiculously introverted, can meet and interact with people (AND become great friends with them) without hesitation or fear; the proverbial "bringing one out of the shell" scenario. I couldn't be more grateful but that also brings about nerves.
Most of these amazing individuals I talk to fleetingly, at best, so the only points I've "talked" with them or to them has been on FB and the nature of the talking is commenting on discussions they've started or posted in and sending or responding to messages. (Though the latter occurs far less...regrettably) I'm nervous because I feel like I'm so far behind in talking to them and keeping up with them that any grounds for friendship have long since passed. It concerns me a lot because I want nothing more than to be as I once was around them, feed off their energy and they feed off mine, but it's difficult for me to be that way if there's any form of tangible (or intangible if it's great enough) awkwardness. Since I categorically refuse to allow myself to fall into this trap I need to figure out how I could go about this: reconnect with people without fear of time having taken it's toll.
The answer I've came up with was the KISS principle; Keep It Simple, Stupid - I will treat this visit as I did my first gatherings. I will meet and talk with new people. (Over a drink peut-etre? Maybe not... 😛) I will get to know them by listening to conversations, chiming in only when prompted or if I feel I can contribute properly to a conversation. Then I will hopefully engage in more peer-to-peer chats any friend would have, engage and lead the conversation and go from there. I intend to seek out opportunities to play and have fun but because it is not the driving force of my gathering attendance I will not be disappointed if opportunities pass me by. Instead I will be grateful for the opportunities that flourished, not just to have fun but to reiterate the respect I have for the people I interact with.
What other answers have people come up with in this situation of interacting with people for the first time in years?
There are is so much I want to do at the gathering. I want to be able to have awesome interactions with everyone; re-connect with many, mend bridges with others, build on a great foundation with others more. I want and fully intend to have as much fun as I can possibly have without swaying an inch from the path of honour, respect, loyalty and trust I follow to the best of my ability. Most of all, I want to both be myself and tell my giant prick, introvert chunk of my brain to burn the knowledge into it that these people will always be my friends and that I'll have the confidence never to doubt it. After all, just as my friends deserve a confident friend in return...come next April, a baby will deserve to have a caring, a loving and, beyond all, a confident father to be there.
Since this might be my last gathering for another while, I guess I have no choice but to bring it so look out everyone, here I come! (No pun intended 😛)
Most of these amazing individuals I talk to fleetingly, at best, so the only points I've "talked" with them or to them has been on FB and the nature of the talking is commenting on discussions they've started or posted in and sending or responding to messages. (Though the latter occurs far less...regrettably) I'm nervous because I feel like I'm so far behind in talking to them and keeping up with them that any grounds for friendship have long since passed. It concerns me a lot because I want nothing more than to be as I once was around them, feed off their energy and they feed off mine, but it's difficult for me to be that way if there's any form of tangible (or intangible if it's great enough) awkwardness. Since I categorically refuse to allow myself to fall into this trap I need to figure out how I could go about this: reconnect with people without fear of time having taken it's toll.
The answer I've came up with was the KISS principle; Keep It Simple, Stupid - I will treat this visit as I did my first gatherings. I will meet and talk with new people. (Over a drink peut-etre? Maybe not... 😛) I will get to know them by listening to conversations, chiming in only when prompted or if I feel I can contribute properly to a conversation. Then I will hopefully engage in more peer-to-peer chats any friend would have, engage and lead the conversation and go from there. I intend to seek out opportunities to play and have fun but because it is not the driving force of my gathering attendance I will not be disappointed if opportunities pass me by. Instead I will be grateful for the opportunities that flourished, not just to have fun but to reiterate the respect I have for the people I interact with.
What other answers have people come up with in this situation of interacting with people for the first time in years?
There are is so much I want to do at the gathering. I want to be able to have awesome interactions with everyone; re-connect with many, mend bridges with others, build on a great foundation with others more. I want and fully intend to have as much fun as I can possibly have without swaying an inch from the path of honour, respect, loyalty and trust I follow to the best of my ability. Most of all, I want to both be myself and tell my giant prick, introvert chunk of my brain to burn the knowledge into it that these people will always be my friends and that I'll have the confidence never to doubt it. After all, just as my friends deserve a confident friend in return...come next April, a baby will deserve to have a caring, a loving and, beyond all, a confident father to be there.
Since this might be my last gathering for another while, I guess I have no choice but to bring it so look out everyone, here I come! (No pun intended 😛)
