December 7th Reverb10 Prompt: Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011? (Cali Harris)
Here. On this little blog. I can’t say I’m embarrassed or ashamed to admit that I have more online friends than real-life friends. Or that they know me better and more deeply than even those who have known me for years do.
I worry a lot about meeting someone I’ve known from the blog world in real life because I fear the real me is a lot more boring than it shows on my blog. It’s not that I’m fake on my blog, I’m just a lot more open and trusting with my words. Having this blog has been a sort of therapy. I have talked about some really tough issues and tried to be as transparent with you as I can be. I have a hard time doing this in my real life, so being able to do so here has been a blessing.
In doing so, I have met so many wonderful people. Some of you have become my closest friends and biggest supporters. I’ve learned so much about myself through this process of growing my blog. And reading your blogs has shown me a whole new world. I have learned so much from your blogs and I can’t wait to see what’s coming up in 2011 for all of us.
For 2011, my wish is to be more present in my community. While I’m not sure what the future holds after college, I do know I want to be involved in whatever city I’m living in. Last month, I joined a book club group from meetup.com. I haven’t actually attended the book club yet, because I’m basically scared to death. But I will. I promise. (January? Can I wait until January?) And since they do more than just the monthly book club meeting, like movie and dinner dates, I know it would be a great way to get out there and start experiencing my community. I need to stop living in my bubble and step outside my comfort zone. While it’s easy living in my bubble, it’s also a little scary to think of all the opportunities I am letting pass me by because I’m not out there to grab them.
Tell me, what community would you like to join in 2011?
I wish we lived closer. I feel the exact same way. I'm trying to come out of my box in real life, but it's so hard.
Blog friends are the best!
Meetup.com led to some of the most amazing friendships of my life! You should totally go. I really want to join a book club in 2011 too…
You should totally go to a book club in January! They are so fun and it shouldn't be intimidating at all once you get there. 🙂
I am hoping that in 2011, I will get to meet even more members of the amazing blogging community. I was a little nervous about meeting up w/ my blogging friends in real life, but so far, it's been nothing but fabulous. It's shown me that the connections we form online are authentic!!
The blogging community is a nice, cozy place… but I am glad you're willing to reach out in your local community.
That is something I will and have to do in 2011… and I am scared. Let's do it together!
i think that's a really good goal!
The minute my parents move to Florida I am totally coming for a visit so I can visit YOU too!
I'm so glad the the blog community brought us together, I definitely consider you one of my friends.
I LOVE my blog friends! I definitely feel closer to a lot of them than my real life friends!!
But I definitely think you should go to the book club, you never know who you might end up meeting there. It could be great 🙂
I love my internet friends, maybe a little too much at times. It's a comfort zone for sure. You should go to the book club and have a blast! Who knows maybe there are some potential amazing friends just waiting there, it's so crazy how people are brought into our lives sometimes.
I'd love to meet you because I am super boring also. Yay!
I liken joining a Meetup group to jumping rope. I sign up for a few groups and see the emails and events come and go and eventually decide when the time is right to jump in. I've been to one meeting. There were so many other first timers there and everyone was there for the same reason, to be part of a community. The leader said something mildly offensive to me and I decided to not go back even though I liked a lot of other things about it. Currently I'm in a few groups and watching the rope swing past, but I know eventually I'll jump in again. And it's totally okay to wait for Jan!
I think we all fear at different times that we are boring, or not good enough. I for sure have had that fear…that is, until, you have some friends that love you for exactly the way you are. It's just good for the soul.
It's normal to feel inadequate. It's realizing that you're the opposite that is a process.
I feel just the same. I'm hoping to make it to the US in the next few years and meet some of the bloggers I love…but I am afraid I'll be a letdown!
HEY GIRL!! Sorry I've been blogging MIA – but I'm going to try and keep up better with all my favorite blogs, and bloggers because man, I've miss it. Anyways.. great to hear you're going to do a book club, that sounds like lots of fun. Don't be nervous. You're very smart and have lots of great things to say, so don't be afraid to try something new 🙂
It's crazy how you meet people while blogging. It's so easy to get attached to people this way because they can know everything about you- it's kind of an awesome thing. I don't think you could ever be boring in real life! If you're ever in Canada AKA Montreal you know who to contact. We'll be real life friends too 🙂
Some of my very best friends started as blog friends, and I wouldn't have it any other way! I think it's great that you're reaching out and going to the book club eventually. I hope you love it!
I've never thought about a book club… That sounds fun!
There's nothing wrong with having more online friends… the internet is not just for porn, its for reaching out and finding people who like the the same things as you, and its obvious that since so many people have access to the internet, you're more likely to meet more people there!
I know what you mean; I also agree with your introvert post!! I was in New Orleans and didnt really know too many people so I joined a meetup book club. I only actually ended up going to one meeting, but it was GREAT. I looked forward to it — unfortunately the administrator moved and we didnt do any more meetings and then I got lazy. BUT, I was SOOOO nervous for the first meeting. SOOO NERVOUS. And it turned out fine. I even made a nice friend who I met up with for coffee and long walks and chats later on. You should do it. If you hate it, what have you got to lose? But I bet it will be great! Good luck!
I know what you mean; I also agree with your introvert post!! I was in New Orleans and didnt really know too many people so I joined a meetup book club. I only actually ended up going to one meeting, but it was GREAT. I looked forward to it — unfortunately the administrator moved and we didnt do any more meetings and then I got lazy. BUT, I was SOOOO nervous for the first meeting. SOOO NERVOUS. And it turned out fine. I even made a nice friend who I met up with for coffee and long walks and chats later on. You should do it. If you hate it, what have you got to lose? But I bet it will be great! Good luck!