Lately, I’ve been thinking about how I want to build more friendships, spend my days off more meaningfully, and simply have someone to talk to or go out with. It sounds so simple—yet putting yourself out there can feel like climbing a mountain when you’re naturally shy or anxious. I stumbled across a local book club on Instagram, hosted by a girl who also shares book content on TikTok and YouTube—an influencer of sorts. When I saw they had an in-person event happening at a coffee shop just a few minutes from my house, something in me lit up. “This is my chance,” I thought. I even offered up my work shift to make sure I could go. When it got picked up, I had no excuse. I was going. Fast forward to Thursday afternoon—I was dressed, ready, and sitting in my car outside the venue. And then... I froze. My nerves kicked in so hard I seriously considered turning around and going home. I gave myself five minutes to breathe and calm down. Just walk in, order coffee, take it from there, I told myself. Eventually, I did it. I walked in, ordered a drink, and joined a group of around 20 other women, most in their 20s to 40s. Everyone was talking books, sipping lattes, and getting to know one another. At first, it felt a little cliquey—many already knew each other. I sat back and observed, trying to feel out the energy. But after a while, I started chatting with two girls next to me about the books they’re reading, their jobs, their lives. Just casual conversation—but it meant a lot. For someone as introverted as me, this was a huge deal. Younger me would have never done this. But stepping outside your comfort zone, even in small ways, can change your world. There’s a quote I love that says, “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.” And today, I think I took one brave little step in that direction.
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