You know those times when you’ve met someone and your energies are so different that you kind of know: “I have zero in common with this person”?
Immediately, we start speaking silly, tripping over our words, wanting to shrink back into the marshmallow wall of invisibility. It’s so uncomfortable.
A couple of months ago, as I sat across from a completely shy and awkward guy at a friend’s farewell, I had an epiphany: stop making snap judgements about people.
Subconsciously when we first meet someone, we label someone as lovely/loud/smart/obnoxious/successful/attractive/intimidatingly cool/not my cup of tea/hard work/weird. We cross our arms and lean back. We observe and form our own perception of them. It’s all done in about ten seconds and then we either open up, or completely close off– you know, because by that stage we know them so well and all.
I realised that the reason why I felt uncomfortable with some people is because I bought into the labels I created. And so from that point, I decided to look into someone’s eyeballs when they spoke. Feel their vibes. It helps me to block out all the extra stuff that makes me sometimes feel intimidated by someone—and you know what? More and more, I’m discovering that you can have a jolly good yarn with just about anyone!
Yay for connecting and communication 🙂
