I love parties. I love book launches, parades, art galleries, discotheques, raves, concerts, markets and being 'interested' in those events you see online.
However, after I've expressed sincere excitement at the myriad possibilities, the reality of getting myself to these things begins its insidious campaign to rescind all excitement, steadily, nay stealthily — until the following is on loop in my busy little noggin': What are you going to wear? Who else is going to be there? What if I have a terrible night's sleep the night before? This is an awful idea. What if I just want to stay home? Oh but you always have fun when you actually go! I'm sure you'll love it. You just have to get there. But I just. Don't. Want. To.
A multi-layered paper wall hanging made at March's Art club in the Pub.
Why do I do this to myself? It's so easy to stay home, to feel safe and cosy and lean in hard to the 'I'm an introvert' memes. Frankly, I don't know if I am an introvert. Or an extrovert. I sometimes think I'm all the verts, depending on what part of the OH I'd love to!/what if continuum I'm on. Is it a continuum? Maybe it's a cycle.
I mean, please. I love people! I love my people. I adore one-on-one conversation. I love being in amongst it — in theory. Getting myself there though — I'd really rather lay down in a room, close my eyes and breathe in something soft and pretty. Or watch TV. Or do anything other than commit to doing the thing I thought would be amazing a week or two ago.
There are ENDLESS memes about wanting to stay home.
But I need more conversations about how rewarding it is when you actually get yourself out of the house for some scheduled fun. And, how much creativity is boosted when you talk with people or go to the art gallery, or bookstore or the beach. And the absolute true fact that if it doesn't fulfil our needs and expectations we can just bloody leave — smoothly and quietly.
Up to four of these people had a wonderful time at Art Club in the Pub in March. (100% a trusted statistic that wasn't made up on the spot).
So, here's the plan. I'm going to explore this topic a little further. I am going to share stories and images of the times I got excited about something, then said I would do something, then committed to doing the thing, and then actually did the thing. And I'm going to show you (and myself) that there is greatness and wonder to be had in doing so.
OK?
Stay tuned. And, sign up for my newsletter so you don't miss it. There are at least two people I know who read the entire thing EVERY month. Thanks Judy. Thanks Lois!
Brisbane folk — for an opportunity to flex your getting-outdoors muscle, be like the 60+ people who've already joined me at Art Club in the Pub at Archer Brewing, Wilston — a fun, easy and arty way to hang out and have a beer or two with friends (and get this: you do not need to be 'good' at art to be great at Art Club). :)
