As part of an effort to socialize more and preserve my language skills (both Japanese and English, which can dissolve in isolation despite the constant exposure), I joined a Meetup group and attended their weekly event for the first time in October last year. It proved fruitful, for the most part. I even made a friend!
What’s interesting is how quickly I lost momentum in engaging in conversation with new people. Chitchat felt so easy and enjoyable back in October, but after a two-month year-end hiatus, I’ve fallen silent at the conversation table. I’m growing tired of introducing myself over and over again.
It’s important to remember, though, that this is a weekly language exercise. Keywords: language, exercise. Both language and exercise require discipline rather than motivation, as well as constant practice. So I guess I’ll have to keep showing up at the meetings if I want to reap the benefits I’m seeking—even if it’s boring, even if I have to repeat my name ten times in a space of two hours just to come out feeling like I didn’t meet a single person.