Positive Developments

[goose]

Sorry for running out in the middle of a discussion earlier on - other people were demanding my attention.

I do spend time reading before I go to bed and I enjoy that. My T wants me to join a book club at my local library, to improve my social skills and to give me a new hobby - I'm not sure at all about this though.

Goose

[malign]

Hey, that's a good idea. I learned to play a game called 'Go' almost 20 years ago now. It's an Asian strategy game that's older than chess, and much more satisfying, to me. I learned to play against a computer program, which tells you where my social skills were, at the time. :-) The thing is, even though I wanted to play against real people, I didn't know where the clubs were or how to contact them.

But I made an effort and located a tournament in a nearby city. So the first time I played a human was in a tournament. But the point is, because I kept trying, I found a place to play locally, and I became a fixture at the club.

The trick is to use things you enjoy and that you share with other people, to help you break the ice. With a club, you're all there for the same reason, and in all likelihood, at least some of the other people are just as scared of meeting new people as you are.

And of course, real life takes precedence over an online conversation. That's why our words are still here tomorrow. ;-)

[goose]

I had to choose between lying out on the sofa or going for my walk. I chose to take my walk in the lashing rain. I like the rain, it is refreshing. I didn't meet anyone however I made a point of talking to the lady in the shop - a shop I had been avoiding - so two exposures for the price of one.

Yesterday I went to the biggest store in the country - a major major exposure for me. I had been told it might take me up to two hours to get around it all :eek:. It took me less than an hour, ok I didn't buy anything or look too closely at anything other than the exit sign, the anxiety made me feel physically sick at times but I survived. My daughter wants to come with me the next time - don't think I could survive that one.

I investigated the book club at the local library - the book they are reading at the moment seems too intellectual for me . But I did see some events coming up on family history that I would be interested in (exhibitions and lectures). These are quite solitary activities and won't help my socialising I know, but I will enjoy them.

Goose