over the past two years i’ve gotten quite good at speaking to new people, and in the past six months i’ve made it one of my favorite traits. i tell people i love their hair when i’m behind them at line at the shops. i befriended an older lady on the train home from work, we laughed and exchanged stories on the crowded rush hour car. i built a relationship with the lady at sandwich place near my work, to the point where she calls out my nickname (veggie melt) when i walk in, and gave me a free sandwich the day i lost my wallet. i draw her pictures every time, and the other day she offered me freelance illustration work as a result. there is so much beauty and possibility around us, so many stories we can unlock by talking to strangers. when im old and withered, i will mark my years by how many little threads i’ve woven into my life, how many gold links i’ve started by an innocuous interaction with somebody i simply hadn’t known yet.
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yes, this is primarily for the purposes of well, reading, BUT..
i will say in the last couple of years nearly every time i am doing this out in the city an older person, between 70-90, will stop me to ask what i’m reading. often followed by a comment of “young people just don’t read out and about anymore”. this simple and sweet interaction has led to some of the most wonderful (sometimes hours long) conversations with folks who simply want to talk. about your book but then your life and interests and then their life, some incredible things they have done and pass on some of their beautiful life stories and sage advice.
i never feel more connected to humanity than in these happenstance conversations, learning new things about the world through the lens of someone who i likely would have never otherwise met.
i have managed to keep in touch with a few of these folks i’ve met through the years and it is one of my biggest sources of joy. and occasionally snap a portrait of them too, meet Dion, 84, from San Francisco here 💗
Apr 23, 2024
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whenever i’m waiting in line, or walking next to someone, i love to try start a conversation. just say hi, try to make some small talk and see what happens. sometimes its awkward, but sometimes we really hit it off. its scary at first but ive found im always glad i did it. usually i don’t even get their name - its just nice getting to know someone
May 22, 2024
🧤
It’s nice to remember that the world is brimming with kind people. I by no means have lengthy conversations with them, but even a joke or an observation to the store attendant makes me feel like I am the sort of person who is casual about things. It’s fun and reminds me to get outside my (sometimes claustrophobic) bubble.
Jan 15, 2025
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😃
i felt so wiped i considered cancelling the first date i scheduled with a girl. but i made a couple cups of coffee, showered, powered through. and we collaged the whole night away, talking and laughing and staying up til we fell asleep together on my couch at 5AM. her voice is so lovely. i haven’t felt so Myself with someone new in so long.
Mar 15, 2024
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every day is another anniversary and i will not do myself the disservice of shutting out how i feel about it. the only person we hurt by tamping down our pain in private is ourself
Feb 6, 2024
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better out than in! a testament to freedom
Feb 5, 2024