Tuesday, March 27, 2012

the problem with being shy + doing uncomfortable things (see also: hi, SMCDC)

(The titles of my posts are becoming the longest rants ever. I mean, really. Do you guys love or hate this?)

 {via}

One of my New Year's buckets was to do more Uncomfortable Things. (No idea what the hell a New Year's bucket is? You need to read this post.) Why? Because sometimes doing uncomfortable shit is fun. And even if it's not, it helps us grow. (After-school special, am I right?)

Since you guys are smart, you can probably guess where this is heading: Last week, I did an Uncomfortable Thing.

Here's what's up: I am so so shy. Not online, obviously, but in Real People Life where I have to actually open my mouth to communicate. I suck in groups with over three people I don't know. I either come off as the quiet creepy girl that sits in the corner staring with huge eyes OR as a total bitch. I'll warm up and you'll see I'm actually nice after I've had a chance to, you know, calm the hell down, but until then I'm so anxious I practically tremble.

This sucks for a lot of reasons, but mainly because I'm new in DC and have approximately three friends.

So last week I went to the monthly DC Social Media Club event. It was all about personal branding, which was awesome because I learned A LOT, but  it was also awesome because it forced me to talk to other people that I could potentially be friends with. I also finally got to meet Rachael, which was great because she was one of the first people to welcome me to DC.

I also actually asked a question. In front of a group of people. Considering I'm the girl who has hardly any recommendations from college professors because she was too shy to ask questions in class, this was a huge step for me. And even though I blushed and the blood was pounding in my ears too loudly to hear the answer, I'm proud of myself.

And here's the thing about doing uncomfortable things that end up feeling good: You get kind of addicted to that feeling. It's a boost in a way. So now, I'm going to introduce myself here and ask that you guys do the same in the comments. Then shoot me an email or give me your email address and let's get to know each other. And if you live in DC? Awesome, let's be friends.

Hi! I'm Valorie. I'm a Texas expat currently living in DC. I love greyhounds dressed as Star Wars characters and I'm really awful at answering the phone. I do non-profit work, and also have my own love + lifestyle photography business.

Okay, now you go! (And if you're one of the people I met at the SMCDC event, great! Hi! It was nice meeting you!)

Oh and, SMCDC? Prepare for me to show up more. (But expect me to blush the first eleventy billion times anyone says anything directly to me.)



P.S. Also, along the vein of doing uncomfortable things? I'm selling a bunch of my books. There's a lot of historical fiction, as well as some classics, and great textbooks (if you're an international affairs student). I know this is totally pathetic, but if you're interested, help me buy wine food.

9 comments:

  1. so glad you finally made it to one of their meetings! you'll do just fine :)

    I'm more impressed w/ the selling of the books... don't think I could do that! lol

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    1. It's hard! One sold on Amazon and I got a little weepy. :(

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  2. Thanks for coming out dude! You are always welcome to come and be socially awkward with us. I joined the SMCDC team to try to kick that, and after some liquid courage I'm usually good to go. I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to possibly embarrass you more by sharing this out of our twitter feed.

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    1. Thanks for the welcome! And good, because I will ALWAYS be socially awkward, haha. (And I don't mind!)

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  3. Doing uncomfortable things is the best!!! That's how I ended up in DC, too (and probably how I'll end up leaving it).
    Hi new friend.
    -Adam (@ACFry)

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  4. Wow, great post! You took the words right out of my mouth. I'm in the same boat as you: totally shy & trying to make new friends in a new city. I moved to DC (from Boston) in August & still trying to scrap the shy-shell & be more adventurous (in addition to actually making a SMCDC meeting). Here's to not being shy & actually commenting on a blog! ;)

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    1. Come to the SMCDC event in April at least!

      Also, I LOVE Boston - I'm surprised you left! Haha.

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  5. This is such an awesome post - and one I COMPLETELY relate to! I missed this SMCDC meeting, but it took me a while - and a few of these meetings - to not feel completely awkward saying hello to people. Not only because I'm a bit shy (well, not as much as I used to be - it really does get easier with practice I swear) but because I always get a little mentally tripped up sometimes about converting online relationships to IRL ones despite the fact that I've met some of my best friends thanks to the internets (there's a topic for a future meeting, huh?) But it's worth it. And I totally just followed you, too. :)

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    1. I know, I get really tripped up about crossing my online and offline lives too! It's so... awkward sometimes, haha. But I'm learning to love it. :)

      Thanks for following!

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Commenting? How lovely. Please try not to talk about dead cats.