Did Not See It

[RDS]

I'm a big introvert too, and really I think the last few years I had been essentially self-medicating with electronics (video games, internet, etc). It was a lot easier to fill my spare time with diversions than to try and tackle why I was increasingly unhappy, or seek more meaningful connections with other people.

In a way I was kinda a mirror of what the Waywards do, seeking the momentary highs rather than doing the hard work to really dig deep and fix things.

Anyway, in case it helps I wanted to share a couple things that have helped me recently with trying to be held back less by my introversion:

• I read a book on small talk. Have been practicing it on random people (hair cut lady, in line at grocery store, etc). Not trying to make a new best friend, but just trying to move beyond 'mute'.
• I make a point to take breaks from phone/tablet/etc, even when I don't have anything else I have to do.
• Joined a couple meetup groups.
• Initiated contact with a couple friends/relatives I haven't spoken to in a while.

Thanks for the reply. What you said pertains to me in so many ways. When you say you joined a couple of meetup groups, what exactly do you mean?