That Time I Tried To Make Friends While I Was Naked

So today I want to talk about something kinda weird (shocker, I know).

It’s a story about the time I tried to make friends while I was naked.

Yup, naked.

(I have a point to sharing this story, too- bear with me!)

Before I jump into that story, though, there’s something you should know about me: people who don’t really know me think I’m shy. I. Am. Not.

Quiet sometimes, sure. But shy? Nope. Simply on a level of minding my own business that even I can’t comprehend (aka I spend so much time absorbed in my own thoughts I literally don’t even know what’s going on around me).

Also, I hate small talk. Like, I literally can’t do it.

Anyway, the fact that people assume I’m shy just makes this story even better….

Okay so we all know I love the gym. I also have roughly 2 friends. So when I first got divorced I was determined to meet some new people.

What better place to meet people than the gym, right? I’m there anyways, lots of other people are there, makes sense. Problem is I have horrrrible RBF, and as I said above, I am just on a whole ‘nother level of minding my own business. Plus, I rarely ever willingly jump into small talk with anyone.

Not a great combo for making new friends.

So I promised myself I’d make a serious effort to actually talk to other people.

Well, one day, the opportunity to insert myself into a conversation conveniently presented itself as I was exiting the shower in the locker room after my workout.

Two other (fully clothed) women were having a convo about their divorces which sounded eerily similar to my own- so I jumped right in and shared my story. We chatted for a bit, then all exchanged phone numbers.

I had been talking with these women for several minutes, sharing personal details of my life.

That’s when I looked down and was like “oh! I’m sorry- here I am giving you my phone number, totally naked!”

They laughed, I laughed, nobody made it weird.

For the record, I did have my towel wrapped around me. But still- who does that? I’m sure they thought I was a crazy person.

Hi, my name is Rachel, and I make things awkward AF.

Okay, so why tell you this story? Because it made me feel great.

Do you know what kind of confidence it takes to introduce yourself to new people while you’re naked? For some reason, this made me feel awesome!

I let my guard down and nothing bad happened. I didn’t even feel embarrassed.

Now, these women didn’t become my friends- but they did text me after that. I’m okay with that. It took confidence to introduce myself in that state, and realizing what I’d done boosted my confidence even more. I left feeling oddly proud of myself.

Plus, they didn’t shoot me down or make me feel crazy. They welcomed me into their conversation.

My point is this: being vulnerable might make you uncomfortable, but it will also give you power.

You may not end up with the outcome you set out to achieve, but I guarantee you’ll walk away with something valuable.

So let yourself be naked- emotionally or, ya know, actually without clothes.

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