Something I wish someone told me was that was that you, 🫵 the person reading the internet for social advice, need to be the one making some kind of first move, whether it’s initiating conversation, asking to hang, or even setting up some group or event yourself. I organized a meetup for my internet friends and had a great time, and I met my girlfriend at a housewarming party I planned. As a generation, we’ve elevated being turned down to the worst possible kind of social disaster when it’s actually a massive weight off your chest. And if they were legitimately busy or shy, then it signals to them that you’re down for something when they’re available.
love this. it’s so easy to slip into the “if they don’t try with me, i won’t try with them” mentality, but that line of thinking will strip you of so many cool opportunities. why not just put it all out there and see what sticks 🤷♀️
Great advice and a great read, as always! The one piece of advice that I have to add is just an addition to one of yours — don’t be afraid to be cringe. I literally don’t even know if this is something that Gen Z folks actually say or care about, but we old millennials hear that “the young people say we’re cringe,” so I’m going with it.
I constantly meet people who feel weird about sharing some of their personal interests that may be viewed as uncool, but who cares what’s cool? Just do your thing, like what you like, and I can speak from personal experience that most people will respond positively to your passion, even if they don’t know or care about it themselves.
To summarize my longwinded response: being genuine goes a long, long way.
This found me at the perfect time and everything you said is absolutely true. I’ve been thinking a lot about living actively recently, and this hits on every single point. Fake it till you make it but enjoy the person you are “fake” being because they’re still you.
These are great! I too was painfully shy growing up (smol bean hive rise up!), but it’s so freeing once you stop trying to be mysterious and embrace over sharing. 💖
I think this is great advice and also applicable to other generations, not just Gen Z. I am a painfully introverted Millennial and this entire list is everything I aspire to do. After the pandemic, I became even more introverted and this is a great reminder that life is worth living if I just gave a little.
Non-refundable hangouts are key here!! I understand that sometimes a person will feel tanked but come on we all feel tanked.
Also my own experience in conversation and maybe I'll write about this: aspire for medium talk, which goes beyond small talk. One way I do it is written I ask someone questions about themselves, I listen to their answers and then ask questions about the answers. If I noticed they have a quality or job or just SOMETHING I know nothing about, I immediately start asking them all about it and they get super excited and the convo is FLOWING.
If you'll allow me to be a little self-indulgence and promotional, I literally wrote the other day my own version of this article: the recovering couch potato's guide to leaving the house.
You're under no obligation to read it, but it's pretty wild how a lot of people are starting to collectively say, "wow, this whole chronically online thing is making us crazy huh?"
(kiss)in’ love the small talk point. i dont dislike small talk but everyone seems to and if you hate it so much u should simply take the insane route.
also id be an archer, think foxes are sick and pick trump 3x (im not gay and dont think he’s attractive in any way but he’ll probably hate the idea of it more than me)
Something I wish someone told me was that was that you, 🫵 the person reading the internet for social advice, need to be the one making some kind of first move, whether it’s initiating conversation, asking to hang, or even setting up some group or event yourself. I organized a meetup for my internet friends and had a great time, and I met my girlfriend at a housewarming party I planned. As a generation, we’ve elevated being turned down to the worst possible kind of social disaster when it’s actually a massive weight off your chest. And if they were legitimately busy or shy, then it signals to them that you’re down for something when they’re available.
love this. it’s so easy to slip into the “if they don’t try with me, i won’t try with them” mentality, but that line of thinking will strip you of so many cool opportunities. why not just put it all out there and see what sticks 🤷♀️
Great advice and a great read, as always! The one piece of advice that I have to add is just an addition to one of yours — don’t be afraid to be cringe. I literally don’t even know if this is something that Gen Z folks actually say or care about, but we old millennials hear that “the young people say we’re cringe,” so I’m going with it.
I constantly meet people who feel weird about sharing some of their personal interests that may be viewed as uncool, but who cares what’s cool? Just do your thing, like what you like, and I can speak from personal experience that most people will respond positively to your passion, even if they don’t know or care about it themselves.
To summarize my longwinded response: being genuine goes a long, long way.
Outstanding. Not just for Gen z - for lots of adults in my neurodivergent circles. Thanks for writing something actionable!
This found me at the perfect time and everything you said is absolutely true. I’ve been thinking a lot about living actively recently, and this hits on every single point. Fake it till you make it but enjoy the person you are “fake” being because they’re still you.
i’m glad you enjoyed 💞
and yes to liking the person you are while you’re becoming the person you want to be!!
These are great! I too was painfully shy growing up (smol bean hive rise up!), but it’s so freeing once you stop trying to be mysterious and embrace over sharing. 💖
I think this is great advice and also applicable to other generations, not just Gen Z. I am a painfully introverted Millennial and this entire list is everything I aspire to do. After the pandemic, I became even more introverted and this is a great reminder that life is worth living if I just gave a little.
This is so accurate and well written! Praise to our fearless Gen Z leader
I love this. ❤️
May I shamelessly self-promote my mini-newsletter The Analog Invitation? I send out a weekly prompt as a gentle nudge toward grass-touching.
Non-refundable hangouts are key here!! I understand that sometimes a person will feel tanked but come on we all feel tanked.
Also my own experience in conversation and maybe I'll write about this: aspire for medium talk, which goes beyond small talk. One way I do it is written I ask someone questions about themselves, I listen to their answers and then ask questions about the answers. If I noticed they have a quality or job or just SOMETHING I know nothing about, I immediately start asking them all about it and they get super excited and the convo is FLOWING.
If you'll allow me to be a little self-indulgence and promotional, I literally wrote the other day my own version of this article: the recovering couch potato's guide to leaving the house.
You're under no obligation to read it, but it's pretty wild how a lot of people are starting to collectively say, "wow, this whole chronically online thing is making us crazy huh?"
https://lieslhammer.substack.com/p/the-recovering-couch-potatos-guide
(kiss)in’ love the small talk point. i dont dislike small talk but everyone seems to and if you hate it so much u should simply take the insane route.
also id be an archer, think foxes are sick and pick trump 3x (im not gay and dont think he’s attractive in any way but he’ll probably hate the idea of it more than me)
This is brilliant
Pic reminds me of my trapper keeper folders in 3rd grade. We millennials knew how to live.
Splendid thread brethren 🔥
So good and true
this is a great read, very insightful definitely going to put this into practice
Mom's were right: we have to live laugh love. Great read!