So it’s August already. Sigh. Summer is slipping away so swiftly.
I’ve re-watched the Twilight Saga, binged on new Netflix shows, read my
way deep into J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood world, and fallen into the
go-to-bed-at-1:00 AM-and-get-up-at-9:00 AM schedule that appears to be what my
body will do naturally if given the chance. This is all characteristic of my
typical summer leisure experience, but one thing I’m trying to change up is the
social interaction.
An introvert since birth, I tend to prefer staying at home instead of going
out into the world. When my parents would say, “Go to your room,” I’d skip down
the hallway, happy to hide away in my safe haven. I loved being in my room and
never saw it as a punishment. If my parents had told me to go talk to people
instead, I would have felt far more inconvenienced.
Let’s face it – it’s scary “out there.” Social events also require
getting ready. Doing one’s hair. Putting on makeup. Wearing clothes. Ugh. So
much work. Chilling in the backyard requires none of these things.
Well, except wearing clothes. Probably.
I’m trying this summer, however, to push myself to interact with more
people. I recently saw something online that said social interaction was the
number one thing that led people to live longer. Even more than diet and
exercise! Needless to say, when I saw that, I panicked. According to that
study, I’m going to kick the bucket like… tomorrow!
I also listened to a show on the radio where it was stated that talking
to people for as little as ten minutes a day boosted memory. The
DNA in my family suggests that boosting one’s memory is definitely something I
want to be doing. I felt compelled to call someone up and chat on the spot. (Of
course calling people on the phone is an entirely different phobia I’m not
ready to deal with at the moment.)
So, yeah… social interaction. I’m trying. It’s kind of exhausting
though. The orchestrating schedules. The planning what to do/where to go. The gathering
of stimulating conversation topics.
The relinquishing of time with my fictional characters to see real
people…
I have to remember, however, that each social interaction has its
benefits. Living longer. Boosted memory. And my favorite, story ideas. The more
people I spend time with, the more tidbits I pick up and add to my writing
notebook. Setting, plot, and character ideas have come to me as I surround myself
with different people. I’m amassing quite a collection of words, one-liners,
and character traits just by hanging out with my fellow humans.
Hopefully, by the time the summer is over, I’ll have filled my notebook
and have reaped the benefits of getting social. If not, I’ll just go back to
having full conversations with my dog at home. That has to have benefits too,
right?
What tips do you have for me about social interaction?
Toodles,
Chris
