usernameforworldpeace!

Wow @quitandrole what a story - way to go for joining the forum!! Would love to see you get a journal up here and follow your progress on this new adventure. Thanks!

As long as I still feel nervous I figure this is a good practice…. Today was my longest time yet, I wandered around town dressed like this for an hour, doing some shopping. I went during lunch hour to face more people. Maybe this outfit was more silly because I got a few more laughs and comments, especially about the lampshade --> that was a hit I also bumped into a few people I knew- I just said hello like everything was normal lolll I chatted to some which made it clear I wasn't crazy hopefully Something great that happened today was when responding to others comments, I felt free to express myself and occasionally came up with funny responses. I'm not usually confident to express verbal humour/can't normally think of anything so that was great! +_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+ Yesterday I went to the Learning Disabilities charity film night* -- I helped with giving out drinks and pizza and talked to some of the awesome peoples there. They are some of the friendliest genuine people I have ever met. A few months ago I would have been very nervous going to something like this but I hardly felt nervous. ¡¡¡I've phoned up a few more residential homes trying to arrange an hour chat with a senior. One sounds promising, I was scheduled to go in this morning but they phoned up again and said they just need to check with a manager first.!!! *we watched Mr. Bean & Batman

Sweet, another musician! I love the schedule you've made for your day. You said you're pretty good at being alone - me too haha. If you're looking for more social things during the weekdays- maybe once a week or whenever you could swap something in your routine for a social activity, or, I don't know if you are quite introverted like me, but how about just trying to start up a few conversations with people during either your commute, at lunch, or at work?? Is your social skill something you're looking to improve, or trying to make new friends etc?

Hey. Thanks for reading! I'm glad you found it entertaining too, that means I communicated how entertaining it's been for me too I gotta keep going !!

Hello! just a brief update about stuff after reading about the benefits of 'stand up desks' today I put my computer on top of a cupboard so I have to stand to use computer this way I can practice my posture all the time!! (I have weird posture and wrist RSI from slouching in computer chairs for ages) today already I've found that it's just not worth spending mindless time on youtube using that standing stamina I have to use my time wisely! Lately I've been trying to be more expressive of my affection, for example I've been telling family members in person that I love them and give them more compliments. And I phoned my dad up which I never do (only email). He sounded surprised. Thanks to @asquerade , he has agreed to be my 'music accountability partner' so if I don't record a song by so and so, I have to send money to him hopefully this will keep me motivated to get some music recorded. when I meet new people, I want to be able to show them my latest work. I've started having Spanish lessons over Skype with Baselang. Not only is it helping with spanish but it's also great practice for my social skills and talking to new people. I'm going to try and have a lesson with every teacher on the site!

Hi @everydayart, welcome to the forums!! I enjoyed reading your story, look forward to hearing next chapter in your journal!

Sweet. Well you did more than me, I've never been to a nightclub before! maybe I should ....

thank you for your thoughtful and insightful posts

sweet, looks real!

a fine piece of headgear @paulogallo

Today is Tom Hanks' 60th birthday so I wore a party hat to celebrate lol, I wore it to the shop then to the conservation volunteers group. It was interesting seeing how people responded, some people asked about it and others didn't mention it. It was a very good conversation starter because then we would always talk about Tom Hanks films and our favourite ones lol. The question is, which 1 to watch today?? Sir Doctor Tom Hanks, if you're reading this - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Yesterday I got to go along to this alzheimer's charity sing-a-long. I helped a bit with the teas and they introduced me to the group, I sat with them and we sang all the old-time songs and did the hokey-kokey lol. I loved the senses of humour they had. I was a bit shy and would have liked to have talked with the old folks more. Still attempting the 21-day no complaint challenge, I got to day 3 once--- back on day 1 atm!!

The other day I emailed a learning disability charity about volunteering, and this evening they were having a BBQ so I went along and introduced myself. Met some super people and definitely got to practice conversation here!!!! I even joined in with some of the folks singing karaoke for a bit. I want to get to the point where I do that sort of thing and don't feel at all self-conscious. I could feel I was holding back, but it was a good step- I mean, I actually joined in! They're having a film night next week. Earlier today I was in town. With no challenges planned you'd think I'd feel relaxed but I actually felt a bit empty, like 'aww shucks, I can't be silly!' So I ended up doing some more backwards walking lol. And I saw some fish in the harbor, so I asked some passerbys "can you see the fish?" pointing at them, trying to start some chats. I felt better after expressing myself in these ways! "can you see the fish??????" me---><---stranger

Hi Michael, great to meet you. I'm also a drummer that enjoys painting and hiking- wow! all very rewarding activities for you to do more of! Looking forward to seeing your journal grow.

looking forward to your posts, I especially like the rating system of your attributes and your keeping track of what happens everyday!

Hey @AlexTheGrape, thanks for taking the time to read and comment. I'm amazed myself to be honest- I'm like, what, me, did I do that?!?!!! .I used to pride myself being 100% introvert on personality tests, thinking myself a hermit , hiding in my room- now I'm like, wait, what is this new awesome thing called life, lol?!!! And I'm trying to express my inner-goofball more… still so far to go!! Thanks again! Seriously. I send this journal to all my friends. It's so good! Thank you for all your support!!!

sounds like a helpful encouraging environment to be in!! great. maybe it will give you ideas for your youtube speeches too.

Really enjoyed the vid @dullage , love all the different footage and also your voice! Also interested in this topic, will be following.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Today I walked around town backwards. I was a bit nervous at first and wasn't going to do it, but I knew I had to. I went down the main street walking backwards while eating my lunch. Got to the end and was gonna call it a day, but I was like oh what the heck and did it again A few people stared at me but most just seemed to ignore lol, one time I was sure this guy was filming me so I just smiled and waved I was trying not to laugh because it was quite funny

YO KO! Epic post! Good to have your energy here. It's a wonderful feeling starting a new chapter

Really great work @asquerade!! And I love the way you took initiative to talk to the club owner about DJ'ing!

lol

wow, fantastic work paul. been a while since I last checked in but you're coming on leaps and bounds!!

Today I wanted to find someone who's birthday it was, and give them a wrapped present (a silly painting of the sun lol).... while being dressed like this I was prepared to spend 2 hours trying to find someone!!!! Got off the bus into town and just started asking people if it's their birthday today, I asked most people I saw, some were sitting on their own some were walking by. A few times I raised my voice to speak to a crowd of people waiting in a queue or something lollll I made sure to be very polite and always wished them a lovely day. Again I was pleasantly surprised that there were no ill feelings -- once I had broke the ice asking them, most people just smiled. One time there was this french family on a bench and they were like 'no speak english', I managed to communicate with VERY limited french saying 'Anniversaire??? Vous?????' the dad said 'aujord-hui? non' so I was like 'ah ok, merci!!!!!!!' a large man sitting on another bench laughed loudly overhearing this. THanks duolingo!!!! Amazingly it only took about 15 minutes to find someone!! I must have asked around 80-100 people in this time. It was outside a cafe front with people drinking at tables. I asked is anyone here celebrating a birthday today - looked around and yes, a man with a sheepish look said yes he is!! He was a middle aged gentleman sitting with his wife. I blew my party whistle and asked really?! wow happy birthday!! I shook his hand and asked his name - it was Roderick So then I said I have a present for you and he looked surprised and I gave it to him along with a red bag. Then I said before I go there's 1 more thing and I blew a party popper which made him jump lol. it was very loud. it was awkward while i picked up the mess lol. then I wished them a good day. Mission accomplished!!!!! on my way home I got off the bus, blew my party whistle and waved at the driver who smiled. it made a couple of people on the bus laugh The worst part about walking around dressed like a crazy person is definitely that first step out the door and into the world. After that it gets easier!!??

really imaginative and creative ! thanks for sharing

Welcome Ryan! It's good to know a truthful pirate! is that dog licking your eyeball? and also hello Abimael