words for community

I have identified myself as introverted for many years of my life, but the narrative is starting to change. That desire for more friends slowly started to change me…low key manifesting maybe?

So this morning I asked myself: What has changed for me?

The first thing that comes to me is VULNERABILITY -FIRST-.
Instead of waiting for others to open up and show me it is safe to be real… I am taking the lead. It requires a lot more courage, which brings me to my second change:

COURAGE doesn’t mean to be fearless. Quite the contrary, it means to do something despite being afraid. Putting myself out there for others to see, judge, criticise and even admire… has required a lot of courage.

Another important word is HONESTY.
I have become honest about my social anxiety with people: It has brought me immense relief.
When I feel nervous about meeting somebody new I’ll say “I’m nervous about this” which created OPPORTUNITY for others to open up as well… and it states “I am not pretending to be something I am not”

Another thing that changed is having INTENTION. I started making it clear to others what my intentions are. “Hey, I would like to hang out with you BECAUSE I like what I see in you and I would like to become friends with you”. “I get so much value or being your friend, I love this and that about you”.

Now, SHADOWS in people make me feel safe. Funny huh? If I meet somebody that seems all happy all day long and they are smiling and content with whatever happens in their life… I smell bullshet. There is no way anyone on this planet has scaped their humanness and become a Buddha. I crave your truth and your depth. I sound like a Scorpio because I am a Scorpio.

The last thing I have discovered is FUN and MOVEMENT. Movement helps with brain coordination and focus. Movement gives me and my friend something in common to share together.

These words have helped me create a sense of belonging in my life.