As an introvert, it’s hard for me to socialize.  It’s gets overwhelming and I have to retreat.

Yesterday I had two very different social situations.

The first was a quick geocaching get-together for celebrate Canada Day and earn the Where’s Signal Canada badge.  It was a fairly large turnout. Not what I could consider a crowd though.  I haven’t kept up with the geocaching community, but there were a few people I recognized.  They either didn’t recognize me, didn’t notice me, or didn’t bother me with.  I spoke to a couple of unfamilar people and it was all very friendly.  However, I felt like an outsider, watching this group of people with an common interest interact.

I do that a lot.  Just watch other people’s interactions.

The second get together was a time to art journal with a group of lades, two I know from previous art journaling and online groups, while the other two I had just met.  It was a much smaller group.  At first, again I felt a bit like an outsider, as the other 4 knew each other and had broken off into their own conversations, but soon we were all chatting, laughing, sharing stories and responding “OMG I feel that same way!”  The 2 1/2 hours we ‘hung out’ went by so quickly.    I think this is going to become a monthly thing, at least I hope it is!

I haven’t worked in an art journal in so long.  I’ve concentrated on painting and sketching (when I do get around to my little art nook) but there’s something free about journaling.  Much like a visual sketchbook, I don’t have to share  what I do.  I can have a public and private journal.   I can collage, sketch, paint, scribble, write words, glue found text.   It’s a way to dump everything out of my head, and I’ve been away from it far too long.

I have online art friends who I adore, but nothing takes the place of real people in your life.  I forgotten how special that feels.

Namaste.