Bravo! Beautifully stated! And what an encouragement to other introverts (like me!) to step outside of their comfort zone and into authentic connection. 🥰
This advice is true. I am an introvert as well and work retail. I force myself to make connections with people. It has helped me tremendously. Thank you for sharing this beautiful piece ❤️
That’s a nice exchange with a stranger. You’re absolutely right in regard to having dialogue with people to inform your writing. People inspire one another with new info and different ways of thinking. You actually inspired me to have a conversation with a stranger. Thanks for sharing this piece!
What a stunningly human moment. That shift from 'spoiling' a daughter to the quiet distance of the college years is a transition so many parents dread. The tears in his eyes through the rearview mirror—that’s a powerful image.
I learned this skill somehow late in life, it was always scary to talk with strangers, but I totally agree with you,not only for writers, for everyone, you learn about others, their struggle, their hopes, their version of reality that's is different than everyone else. Good read
Yes, talking to strangers is scary. For some reason, I find it easy to do it in a new place while travelling. Maybe I'm more relaxed and free from the day-to-day worries there.
This was wholesome to read! Thank you for sharing. As a writer, I can totally relate how conversations can change perspective and how deeply it can affect the way we see and perceive things.
Thanks for reading this Mehak. I'm glad you liked it. Conversations with strangers and getting to know them is what has stayed with me from the trip. :)
"...a glimpse into how a real person holds multiple truths at once."
I've been experiencing this more and more, recently, especially with my partner. It's deeply revealing and almost painful. No real person is ever either black or white, they're a mess of every colour.
This stayed with me. Not the story alone, but the way you let complexity breathe without forcing meaning onto it. That kind of listening is rare and it shows in the writing.
It's interesting how we can exchange very deep parts of ourselves with strangers. It is almost as if it’s a relief knowing we most likely won't see that person ever again, and yet we crave empathy and connection at the same time
Yeah, that's definitely on my mind when I meet strangers while travelling. Sometimes it gives me a chance to be more myself - coz it wouldn't matter even if they judge, I'm never going to see them again.
Bravo! Beautifully stated! And what an encouragement to other introverts (like me!) to step outside of their comfort zone and into authentic connection. 🥰
Awesome. I'm glad that you liked it and that it gave you the motivation for more authentic connections. :)
This advice is true. I am an introvert as well and work retail. I force myself to make connections with people. It has helped me tremendously. Thank you for sharing this beautiful piece ❤️
I'm glad that you loved it Tawanna :)
I just found my new fav substack. . .
So so lovely to hear this. I'm glad I'm adding value for you :)
That’s a nice exchange with a stranger. You’re absolutely right in regard to having dialogue with people to inform your writing. People inspire one another with new info and different ways of thinking. You actually inspired me to have a conversation with a stranger. Thanks for sharing this piece!
So glad to hear this. Hope you have more and more meaningful conversations with both strangers and loved ones. :)
What a stunningly human moment. That shift from 'spoiling' a daughter to the quiet distance of the college years is a transition so many parents dread. The tears in his eyes through the rearview mirror—that’s a powerful image.
Glad you liked it. :)
I learned this skill somehow late in life, it was always scary to talk with strangers, but I totally agree with you,not only for writers, for everyone, you learn about others, their struggle, their hopes, their version of reality that's is different than everyone else. Good read
Yes, talking to strangers is scary. For some reason, I find it easy to do it in a new place while travelling. Maybe I'm more relaxed and free from the day-to-day worries there.
I'm glad you liked the post. :)
Awesome! Read this in a breath and am craving for more!!
There are more hahah. Details when we meet. :)
This was wholesome to read! Thank you for sharing. As a writer, I can totally relate how conversations can change perspective and how deeply it can affect the way we see and perceive things.
Thanks for reading this Mehak. I'm glad you liked it. Conversations with strangers and getting to know them is what has stayed with me from the trip. :)
THIS! is the summary of how to truly understand life. Different views causes exposure and inner sight.
Yeah. You’ve got to put yourself out there and try and connect to people (even strangers).
"...a glimpse into how a real person holds multiple truths at once."
I've been experiencing this more and more, recently, especially with my partner. It's deeply revealing and almost painful. No real person is ever either black or white, they're a mess of every colour.
Absolutely. So many shades of grey.
This stayed with me. Not the story alone, but the way you let complexity breathe without forcing meaning onto it. That kind of listening is rare and it shows in the writing.
Thanks. I'm glad it resonated with you. :)
I LOVE talking to strangers!
You got me at the pug
This is beautiful honestly.
When someone share their sorrow , truth , happiness.
It really feels to surreal.
I’m glad it resonated with you. :)
It's interesting how we can exchange very deep parts of ourselves with strangers. It is almost as if it’s a relief knowing we most likely won't see that person ever again, and yet we crave empathy and connection at the same time
Yeah, that's definitely on my mind when I meet strangers while travelling. Sometimes it gives me a chance to be more myself - coz it wouldn't matter even if they judge, I'm never going to see them again.
Absolutely.
Talk to strangers.
Listen to strangers.
Read things you don’t normally read.
Watch things you don’t normally watch.
Read multiple genres from different authors.
Engage with people you don’t agree with.
Understand perspectives you find unappealing.
It all helps, seriously.
100%.