It’s Fashion Week in Paris, and guess who’s not there?
I really need to pay closer attention to these things when I’m planning my trips. Oh well, le sigh, and c’est la vie because lately, I’ve been a little preoccupied anyway. You see, I’ve recently relocated to a new city, and I’ve been busy on the meetup circuit. To date, I have attended three writers’ meetups (Shut Up and Write) and two readers’ meetups (Silent Book Club). That may not sound like much on paper, but for an introvert, it’s been an exhausting schedule.
I don’t need to tell you that making friends as an adult isn’t so easy. I’m in a new town with no family and no job, which means there aren’t even any cousins or coworkers to stand in.
But, I’m trying. I’ve committed to putting myself out there and to keep. going. back.
Eventually, I’ll own the meetup.
Luckily, the first Shut Up and Write went really well. We sat at a long table and went around introducing ourselves, describing what we’re writing, and then naming our favorite setting from a book. Following that icebreaker, the facilitator set a timer for an hour. We scattered around the cafe and went to work — together, but not together. So fun!
The first Silent Book Club wasn’t quite as encouraging. There were no introductions. When I walked into the cafe (on time), everyone was sitting alone, reading. TWO HOURS later, the timer went off, which was our cue to rise and stack our books for a photo. Another successful book club, with another Instagram post to prove it. Then, we all went our separate ways. Did I mention that it was two hours?
The thing is, if I wanted to read for two hours, I would have preferred doing it in my comfy bed with a cup of free tea and no public transportation involved. But I get it. We’re just a bunch of shy bookworms. Who, I might add, put on pants, left the house, and maybe got on public transportation. We didn’t go to all that effort to read. We did it to be social.
But don’t worry, dear reader. I don’t give up that easily. I went back. I wore my brightest smile, interrupted everyone’s reading, and said “Hello!” That won me an invitation to join a table.
The upside (besides hopefully future friends) is that I’m learning all about the local tram and bus routes. Not to mention, I am on a cafe tour in my new town. Every meeting has introduced me to a different cafe in a different neighborhood.
One of my favorites so far was a cafe/art gallery that served Greek food and had a bank of frozen drink makers. The best part: you didn’t have to look far for a friend. A resident cat prowls the place and jumps into laps, of her choice, of course. Very charming. Unless you’re allergic, like one of my fellow attendees. Unfortunately, she had to wear a mask and sit at a different table.
Another exciting discovery was a cafe with velvet couches, apple fritters, a tasty London Fog, and a flea market! All the things I love rolled into one establishment.
Truly, I am grateful to the people who voluntarily run these meetups and bring us strangers together. Sure, we all share a love of reading and writing in common, but that’s not why we show up. It’s not about the book or the project. It’s about connection. Whether you’re new to a city or a born-and-bred native, people want to feel a part of, to find a community and belong.
Yes, even us introverts.
Shut Up and Write and Silent Book Club are both nationwide meetups with chapters all over the United States. So, if you find yourself in a new town or just want to put on pants and get out of the house, go check them out. And if you’re in New Orleans, I’m sure I’ll see you there. I’m at all of them.
