To start, an update.
As I mentioned in my last post, I recently started working for Pulse, a beautiful news reader app for iPhone, iPad, Android, and web. As soon as I heard about the job I started thinking about the myriad of possibilities for social content, and that was Sign #1 that it was the right step for me. I've been brainstorming and honing strategy ever since, and even though I've been working really flipping hard to learn the ropes, I'm enjoying it immensely. I'm inspired by my smart, dedicated coworkers, and there's no doubt that this job has already contributed to the lengthy process of getting my groove back. I'm at that place now where I want to fast-forward past the awkward stage. Since time immemorial (or rather, since my first barista job in high school), I've taken time to roll into things; I get trapped in my own insecurities until about three months in. I'm sure this is normal to some extent, but I'm especially frustrated by it this time around. I know myself well enough to realize that the non-stuttering, non-insane me would probably be friends with my coworkers, and that's something I've found to be extremely important. Everyone says they want a president they could 'grab a beer with', and that's how I feel about the people I see at the office day in and day out.
I know I'll get there. I had a mini-epiphany the other day: it hit me that I don't have to be shy, even though I've labeled myself as such since forever ago. I'm not exactly a quiet person, so why do I get so stuck when I'm getting to know people? Anyway, the courage from said epiphany lasted about ten minutes, but the thought's lingered. Progress, amirite?