Pen to Paper by mbgrigby (Creative Commons)
I’m not a joiner-in-er. Never have been.
At least, I tell myself I never have been, though I used to be in an equivalent of the Brownies, and was in all the school plays, the choir, the band… I suppose the issue is I’m shy.
I want to be part of things, but I’m hesitant about sticking my neck out, putting myself into a place of vulnerability where people might not talk to me – or worse, where I might get stuck with the party bore!
And I’m afraid of misunderstanding, of not knowing the rules, of looking foolish.
That’s one reason I love to write, and love twitter. I can play, join in, be myself. I’ve got time to think of the thing I want to say, and if no-one listens, I’ll never know…
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Agh! Five minutes passes too fast! Once again I’m taking part in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday, where we write on a prompt for five minutes only, with no editing. Why not go and see how others have interpreted today’s prompt – then have a go yourself! What have you got to lose? Put a link to your post in the comments, and I’ll read it and leave a comment in return.
on Aug 24th at 9:52 pm
I’ve been working on that this summer—becoming more comfortable in my own skin and around other people. It can be hard, but I really think that I, in my mid-40’s, am coming into my own in a way I never did when I was younger.
on Aug 24th at 10:11 pm
Good for you! I think I’m getting worse, in some ways. I think knowing myself better than ever before means I am more selective about what I do and don’t do, so I’m confident about things I know I’m good at or where I can have success, but avoid things that are more challenging and stretching. Perhaps some balance is needed!
on Aug 24th at 11:35 pm
Even though you may consider yourself a no join-in-er I think you are! To take the time to sit, thing, write, and then click on a little box that says, “publish,” is huge! I am so glad I came across your blog through #FiveMinuteFriday! Thanks for sharing your life with us!
on Aug 25th at 9:17 am
Ha! Good point, thanks Beverley – yes, it was a conscious decision a few weeks ago to ‘join’ the Five Minute Friday community, and it’s been such a blessing – thanks to people like you!
on Aug 25th at 4:42 am
It really is all about being vulnerable. I find that I am more hesitant the older I get. Putting myself out there is alot scarier today that it was when I was younger. I have to be intentional about it where I didn’t before. Thanks so much for sharing! Blessings!
on Aug 25th at 9:15 am
Thanks, Wendy. Yes, intentional is the key word, isn’t it? Blessings to you too.
on Aug 26th at 3:43 am
I am an introvert and shy on top of it. Writing is nice because you can be you and people can take it or leave it and you don’t have to see the look on their face 🙂 But I’m praying I won’t live by fear and that I’ll be brave enough to be who God made me to be in person, and people can take or leave that too! Thanks for visiting…
on Aug 26th at 7:15 am
Thanks Emily. Yes, there’s a great assurance in knowing God never makes mistakes so therefore he can’t have made a mistake when he made you. It took a while for that to sink in and really FEEL true to me, but once it did, it was so freeing. Hope it will work the same for you.
on Aug 29th at 1:22 am
The anonymity social media gives us does help us come out of our shells a little. I am glad for it as it helps me to find my voice.
on Aug 29th at 8:31 am
Yes, social media has its critics, but I think it has definite advantages, too. Hope you continue to find and develop your voice.