Now? Me? I am totally comfortable in crowds and groups of people I don't know. I walk right up, stick out my hand, introduce myself and ask them a personal question. Perhaps it's age that allows me to make an uncomfortable situation comfortable.
When I was younger I would step back and see 'what are the expectations of this group?' I would try, using my experiential background, to fit result with expectation. It was uncomfortable, but with mother's social teachings I was able to muddle my way through.
The question should really be how do I recover my energy? When I am feeling 'drawn', how do I regenerate? These days it's quiet, a book, cooking, nature, sitting on my deck and gazing out, being a party of 1. I have been a little worried about living in our new 'detached apartment'. I am absolutely loving the house, but it is in spitting distance of our neighbors. Having not had a neighbor in my adult life it's a tad concerning.
I was given a gift the other day though. The development owns 20 private acres across the road and up into the woods. A new neighbor, Fred, has 'taken on' the area and it is now my new haven, my spot to regenerate. I am looking forward to snowshoeing the trail this winter.
Take a look and tell me if you don't just find it a 'perfect' spot to regroup. Thank you Fred.