It is no secret that I tend to struggle with interacting with my peer group. And although I have accepted this, work through it, and do my best to move forward, it is often one of the hardest struggles I deal with. On one hand, it's a blessing, but on the other, it is a definite curse. I guess, as my first post eludes to, this is my "normal." From a very young age, I can remember preferring to spend time with those who, at the time, were much older than I was: teachers, therapists, etc. I just struggle with feeling comfortable while interacting with my peer group. As was stated in my part 1 post, I do think there's a legitimate reason why this is the case: while those my age were running, jumping, and playing, I often was with the adults simply because I could not run, jump, and play like those my age did. So, from a very young age, it was simply natural for me to be secluded from that group, and it was absolutely no one's fault, it just was.
In writing this post, I wanted to reassure myself that this really is okay. Although in my situation, many of the relationships I have, and the interactions I feel most comfortable with, may not be "typical," they have shaped me into the thoughtful, insightful, and compassionate person I am today: the one who much preferred in high school to stay and talk to teachers, who in college preferred to spend Friday mornings with my advisor, and now as a professional prefers to do the same with my mentor at work. I sometimes wish that I could easily strike up conversations with others in my peer group, but realize that it will likely always be a struggle.
If you're reading this, I encourage you to try to push yourself out of your comfort zone. As hard as it may be, as it is for me, do not let yourself settle always for what you know. Strive instead to put yourself out there so that at the end of the day, you (hopefully) won't feel isolated, down, lonely, etc.
In writing this post, I wanted to reassure myself that this really is okay. Although in my situation, many of the relationships I have, and the interactions I feel most comfortable with, may not be "typical," they have shaped me into the thoughtful, insightful, and compassionate person I am today: the one who much preferred in high school to stay and talk to teachers, who in college preferred to spend Friday mornings with my advisor, and now as a professional prefers to do the same with my mentor at work. I sometimes wish that I could easily strike up conversations with others in my peer group, but realize that it will likely always be a struggle.
If you're reading this, I encourage you to try to push yourself out of your comfort zone. As hard as it may be, as it is for me, do not let yourself settle always for what you know. Strive instead to put yourself out there so that at the end of the day, you (hopefully) won't feel isolated, down, lonely, etc.
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