I'm continuing to work on my social life bit by bit. On one end, by getting more comfortable with approaching women I find attractive. The other, by engaging with people more in general. Here are some interactions I've had over the past few days:

  1. Approached & chatted with a teacher the other day, turns out she was big into reading like I am. Invited her out to grab a drink sometime. She gave her socials. I followed up bot no response there.
  2. Complimented another woman on the hard work she was putting in at the gym. Introduced myself and left it at that.
  3. Complimented another woman who I also thought was impressive. We chatted for a bit, then I got her number. After we started texting, she told me she has a bf but is totally down to meet up as friends. Totally down with that. She also big into certain sports like me, so no telling where that could lead.
  4. I complimented another who was looking very shredded and asked if she competed. She said she doesn't but she's glad I though she did because it's hard for her to see what others see.
  5. I got to hang out with my friend at a party over the weekend and meet some new people. It felt good to get to know new people & expand my interactions. I got to meet a dude there who I think I can become really good friends with.
  6. I also had a missed opportunity today in the gym because I was hesitant on if I wanted to go over & say hi or not. When she left, I wished I would have. However, I won't beat myself up over it. I'll take it as a learning lesson & keep an eye out for future opportunities.

Overall, the more I do this stuff, the more I realize:

  1. It feels good to approach people I find attractive. Sometimes I hesitate or stall, but when I do, I feel good knowing I made a connection, even if it doesn't go anywhere.
  2. My approaching style is very direct, but it feels true to me. I like conversing for a bit then just being open with what I want.
  3. I'm learning to take this approaching stuff less personally. I'm always respectful, conscious of body language, and realizing this rejection stuff rarely has anything to do with me. Many will have boyfriends, many will not be interested for whatever reason, but some will. It takes effort to find those. I must screen for them, just in the same way anyone else does in the game of attraction. I can only control so much.
  4. I love sticking out. It feels good to know that even if most convos don't go anywhere, I still did what most men wouldn't do, and she'll probably be flattered enough to share that interaction with her friends. That's still a win in my book.
  5. I want to increase my social exposure in general. Right now, most of my social time is in gym/hanging with select friends. However, I want to expand that with more social hobbies/clubs (Open for recommendations & bonus points if know any solid opportunities in Seattle!)

Other notes:

  1. I applied for a new apartment. I've never given myself the living space I've wanted, so this feels like a huge step forward in growing my self identity.
  2. I officially own tailored clothes! The change in fit is night & day. This represents yet another breakthrough in increasing my self identity. This is the stuff I NEVER would have done before I began this journey.
  3. I've ordered 2 nice pairs of brown & white sneakers to level of my kick game
  4. I'm searching for new colognes to try out & find my signature scent (suggestions welcomed!)
  5. I feel my skin getting 'thicker' overall. The more interactions/rejections I have, the more I realize you can only control how you portray yourself to the world. Not how you'll be perceived. That & people simply value/look for different things. Just how a world filled with 8 billion people should be.

I feel I'm moving forward in a lot of directions, however, I still feel 'impatient' at times. I still have bouts of wondering when certain things will 'pay off' especially when I feel challenged. I know it's just the human in me that wants everything 'now'. In times like this, I'm pushing to remind myself that growth takes time, yet growth is happening in real time. Right now. If I keep doing things every day to improve my life, then I can have anything I want with enough effort. As well as faith in myself, patience in my growth, & gratitude for where I am now.

Until next time.