Introvert is not an ugly word. It doesn't mean anti-social. It doesn't mean impersonal. And it certainly doesn't mean weird. Introverts are simply those who recharge and refresh by being alone and drawing from within through introspection and self-reflection. I am a classic introvert, and for many years I didn't know that introverts AREN'T necessarily anti-social. Sometimes, sure, but mostly, no. For me, the words that I say when I look in the mirror are exponentially more important to my frame of mind than what someone else may say to me, so spending time alone trying to decipher my inner monologue is of utmost importance. Too much noise and activity and outside interference only serves to muddle-up the process. Outside of this process, the majority of introverts are normal, everyday, sociable beings who have no problem conversing, socializing, and making any other sort of typical interaction with those other beings...the "social" ones.
Oftentimes, my career impedes my social progress outside of my work-life as my career is such a social one that, most days, by the time I head home I've reached my daily quota of interpersonal interaction. When my car hits my driveway, I want nothing more than to cuddle my furrbabies, kiss my husband, and recharge by getting my sweat on and generally being by myself. I' m sure you can see where this might be a bit of an obstacle when moving to a new city, attempting to meet new friends, and generally building a new and blog-worthy life. In this department, I won't lie, the past few years have been an epic fail for me.
However, this whole blog-life has inadvertently served as one remedy to my conundrum. I'm a major blog-stalker, reading anything and everything I can about running, triathlon, and fitness in general. Not only do I learn a ton of training tips and laugh at others' experiences right along with my own, but I learn quite a bit about the faces behind the blogs. Recently I read on a blog I stalk that the author was moving to the Atlanta-metro area. For serious! I suppose in the entire scheme of the world this isn't such a big deal, but in my introverted world I saw this as the perfect opportunity to make a connection with someone in the same boat as me, someone who has the same hobbies to boot. None of that "new friend" interview stuff. You know, "Hi, my name is Charity. I like to run. I like to read. I don't want kids. I have dogs, " banter. I already knew all the pertinent information about this girl so I knew in advance she would qualify. Her? Well, she'd think I was just grand, of course! A quick response to her blog, a few emails later, and a new connection was made. I have yet to meet this IronDiva, but we will soon enough.
Another way I've been able to meet a few new people is by being a member of Team Tough Chik. As a member of their Facebook Team Page I happened to see a post by Karen inviting area Tough Chiks who area competing in the upcoming Irongirl Triathlon to a course ride on a recent weekend. Of course my schedule did not allow me to join on that day, so I figured I'd lost a great opportunity. Just my luck.
However, luck changed and I didn't even know it as I perused blogs in search of Irongirl course previews to help ease my fears of a bike course I'd heard stories about. I happened across a great blog by another local-triathlete who seemed to be an all-around pretty cool gal, so I hit the "chat" button and told her how great I thought her blog was. And wouldn't you know it, she emailed me back with an invitation to a group ride of the Irongirl course...the weekend after I'd missed the first one. Score! Since my friend Cynthia and I had already planned to ride it, we were able to tweak our schedule so that we could meet up with SwimBikeMom and her group of merry riders. And in a case of pure serendipity, guess who was there? None other than Karen! Small world....but even smaller to later find out that Karen also knows IronDiva. Smaller world. The blogger world!
Those of you who know me will know that this story is about as out-on-a-limb as I get socially. But living in a new city requires creativity even for the most unwilling of us. Being introverted makes the process harder, but not impossible. Even if you aren't the sort of person to show up alone to all sorts of organized runs, rides, or classes, there is still a way to connect for each of us. The key is being ready to take a little leap of faith and putting yourself out there to others who share the same interests as you. Don't worry...some of them are going to be those social-types and they'll have no problem taking the lead from there!
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| New Friends from the Blogosphere |
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