A while back, I began my “Making Time For…” series and wrote about family. While I’m still working towards my efforts on making time for my extended family, I started thinking about another thing I need to make time for…
connections
At Blissdom, I realized that I’m an ambivert. I’m that person that, when with friends, I can’t go to the bathroom at a restaurant alone. I’m also that person that, from a distance, looks like the life of the party. The truth is though…I CAN be the life of the party- if I know you. If I don’t know you, then I’m likely to hide in my comfort bubble. I’ve talked about this before, but I’ve realized lately how much I do it.
I need to make time for my “connections”. Meaning, the people that I see and maybe are acquaintances with, but should make them more than acquaintances.
Mathew’s work schedule is so weird. Some days he gets off at 7 pm if he works out at the airport, and some days he gets out at 6 pm. For some reason, our Sunday School people always get together at 5 or 6 pm. If I wait for Mathew to get home, make us dinner…there’s just not enough time to go to Sunday School events. It’s completely ruined us and we’ve missed out on some valuable connections. Everyone in Sunday School has become great friends and they hang out multiple times per week. Us? Not so much. I maybe have 2-3 people in the class that I can call “friends” and they’re not the kind that I ask to join me to lunch or anything.
This Sunday I was asked by a couple of my friends to come to the Sunday School Memorial Day social. It was going to be a BBQ but the thing is- Mathew had to work on Memorial Day. I told the girls I didn’t want to go alone but they convinced me. I went to the BBQ…ALONE…and actually had fun. I tried my best to make an effort and chat with everyone and get into conversations. I was uncomfortable because the introvert in me didn’t have my husband by my side, but the more I talked, the extrovert in me came out.
I learned a valuable lesson on Monday- the more connections that I go out of my way to make, the more meaningful connections I’ll make!
I’m going to make it a priority to working on this more. That means replying to comments (I’ve been so bad about it lately, but I SWEAR I read them!), chatting more on Twitter with people I may not know very well, and working hard to make friends within our church.
Have you ever come across this problem? How are you liking the “Making Time For” series?
Erica Dee says
I do the exact same thing. Never really thought about till now.
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Meg Cady says
umm welcome to my life.
This is FOR SURE one of the hardest things for me to do! Especially when I dont have school (high and college that is) to force me to make connections! At least we have it easier than some for we get the blogging world (and for all its trash there really are TREASURES!)
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Sarah says
I agree, I’m totally the same way, I shy away from situations where I won’t know anyone. Glad that you stepped out of your comfort zone. I’m trying that with a bunch of Mom’s from around my area, trying to go to Mom’s Night Out and stuff, even though I won’t know anyone, so far everyone’s been really nice, although haven’t made any connections yet where I think I would be able to hang out with them outside of that environment. Hopefully soon, since they are really nice and I enjoy their company.
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Alyssa says
I am guilty of the same thing!!! I am trying to be better at being more outgoing, but let’s be honest, it’s way easier said than done! I am encouraged by you, though. It’s encouraging to know that I’m not the only one who has trouble making new connections. You have motivated me, my friend!! Thanks for that 🙂
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Carly says
Good for you for stepping out of your comfort zone!!!!
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Amber says
You and I are the exact same person. I don’t do well unless I know someone. I hate to be alone, or going to anything alone. I need to do better. I’m proud of you for going to the BBQ!
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shelley says
I’m pretty similar in the way I am in social settings. I prefer to be with someone I am comfortable with.
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Kylie @ Lip Gloss & Lunges says
Good to know I’m not the only one like this! I have had my same group of friends since high school so it seems like if I’m not with one of them or my husband then I can’t completely be myself and say all the crazy things I would normally say! I have been working on this and hope to come out of my shell more around people I don’t know. I feel like blogging is helping me do this! So happy to have found you on Instagram!
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