We are all social beings at our core

There was a time when James would run to David´s doorstep and ask if he wanted to come out and play. Or when you would meet a person smiling at you from across the café and engage in a conversation on your way out. There were times when we didn´t need alcohol to be fun and silly... to be brave. We are all social beings but are we still able to express ourselves? Do we get the affection we need and do we show the love we would like to give? 

Times change, nowadays James doesn´t need to take a 15 min. walk to David´s doorstep, when he can send him a quick text. However, James doesn´t want to play outside anymore, when he and his friends can play an online game for hours. Is this the right way to become a socially active human being and to learn life lessons on empathy and communication? You don´t need to engage in convos with new people when you can use an App to chat without ever meeting them. There is no need for bravery... or is it considered brave now to send a follow request?

The world changes but our nature, what we are at our core, doesn´t. If you come to think of it, we have become more and more anti-social, more afraid... of rejection, embarassment, all of it. "What if"s and "maybe"s keep us away from interaction as if asking the waitress for a napkin is going to drop a bomb in that restaurant. It surely provokes a massive earthquake in the hearts of millions that suffer from social anxiety and similar conditions. 30 years ago this wasn´t a widely known disorder, which doesn´t make it less serious but only proves my point. The direction in which our society is going is bizarre and frightening, to say the least. No talk, no touch, no real life interaction... all before a global pandemic shook our view on other humans and the world. 

All I can tell you is: be brave, the more you practice that, the easier it gets. We are all actors on each others stages, be brave enough to leave an impression. How do you want the audience to perceive you? What exactly are you afraid of?