Break Out of Your Cocoon,
You’re a Social Butterfly!

Coming back to Chicago after a summer of socializing and reconnecting with my silly friends in Singapore was a breath of fresh air. It was a (partially) new environment for me, and all I wanted to do was to get out there (!) and explore the world (!). I’m not an extrovert, but I wanted to get more involved in the community. This meant putting myself in uncomfortable situations (being out in public) to break out of my shell.

In the first week of September, I had already met and talked with what felt like hundreds of new people. I went to the welcome back party at my fitness club, where my ex-housemate was the only person I knew (she is currently doing a semester abroad), and to my friend’s birthday picnic, where she was the only person I knew there. These were new experiences for me, as I usually would have avoided situations where I had to always be “on” and interact with new people. However, I did have a great time and did not feel as out of place as I thought it would. Perhaps I looked more approachable and was starting conversations, which made it easier for people to talk to me.

The days flew by as I always worked on something, be it classes, work, or socializing. Outside my routine, I packed my schedule with many social outings. I went out on Saturdays and often or never got Sunday off to rot at home. I love hanging out with my friends, but I wish there were more days in the week when I could laze at home and do nothing cause, after all, that is my number one pastime.

Finding the right balance is what I need to work on—I am always open to trying new things, but a girl needs a break now and then! But I am also content with where and what I have already done. It’s great when I get to live my life, as not everyone gets this opportunity. After all, the little moments where I explore new things or the big moments where I talk to new people make life so interesting. It’s a big world out there, and I want to explore and try new things, have new experiences, and make new memories.

View the gallery below for a photo dump.

September 29, 2023