Shy Grownup Blues
I just wrote and released an entire album about how I USED to be shy and how I was able to overcome it to become a professional goofball. A few days ago, I sang for thousands of people at LEGOLAND. You’d think I could stand in a room full of grownups and introduce myself to a few strangers. You’d think. . .
I went to Philadelphia last week to a family music conference. I was there to meet people that work in my field, make connections and learn from my peers. On Friday night there was a casual “social hour” at a pub. I walked down the street as a confident 43-year-old man and walked through the pub doors as a withering shy kid.
Once inside, I made my way to the bar without seeing anyone I knew. I got a beer and scanned the room and thankfully found my friend Jeff. We chatted and my tension eased. He introduced me to some nice folks and all was going well.
Then, the inevitable happened. Everyone else peeled off to chat with other people at the event. In that moment, I really needed to just introduce myself to someone. Say hi. Meet someone new. Instead, I placed my empty glass on the closest table and made a beeline for the door.
I’d flown across the entire country for the purpose of meeting these good people and I just left! I had mingled for a grand total of 20 minutes.
I sat down on a bench down the block to think about what just happened. I’ve been thinking about and writing about shyness for over a year now. I’ve been giving advice on how to overcome it and here I am, shy as ever.
I sat there for a good five minutes and gave myself a little pep talk. I forced myself to walk back into that pub and introduce myself to someone new. I walked right up to Kathy O’Connell, the organizer of the event. She greeted me with a warm smile and a hug and proceeded to introduce me to some of the nicest, most wonderful people.
Over the course of the weekend, I met a lot of great people but that post-shy-kid-melt-down moment was my favorite, though. I pushed through my own self-created obstacle and was rewarded with a delightful evening and lasting friendships.
Thank you Jeff, Kathy, Keith, Jim, Jen and Jeff for making a shy kid feel like he belonged.