First, I would like to acknowledge that I realize everything I have been thinking or doing relates back to podcasts. I know I’ll get over them soon enough. But for now, I’m going to keep talking about them.

One episode of Invisibilia was about a guy who was dumped. He became deathly afraid of talking to women and ended up with 6 cats. So he decided to go out every day and seek rejection: to face his fear head-on.

Every day, he would propose far-fetched requests of his friends, strangers…whoever he encountered. He would ask them ridiculous questions in the hope of getting rejected. Soon, people around the world heard his story, and a small cult developed. They came to the conclusion that situations we make up in our heads are really far worse than reality.

I think it’s a hilarious and brilliant idea, but I’m not ready to try it out. Yet.

It did make me think, however, about my interactions with others. I have become a different kind of person over here: a quieter version of my former self (which, in reality, probably just turned me into a normal person since I was pretty loquacious before).

I decided instead of trying to get rejected, I would consciously pay a compliment to at least one person a day. A lot of times, I might think “I like her dress” or “he looks nice today”, but the thought will pass and I won’t say anything.

I’ve started expressing those thoughts, and it’s helping me become who I used to be. It’s helping me get over my fear of conversation with people whose language I don’t speak. It’s made me realize I can make small talk with people like I used to!

I’d encourage you to try it. It makes for a great way to have a lovely day.