Last saturday I went to a live breathing session with about 500 people, with the intention to experience something new and to meet new people. But when I was there, I completely froze and was unable to even look people in the eye. Strangers around me were all starting conversations with eachother, while I sat there paralyzed. I wanted to talk to people, why couldn't I do it? That evening at a concert, it happened again. I was observing my thoughts and realised I was putting way too much pressure on myself to do it a certain way. I had to come across as kind and spontanious, I was not allowed to be awkward, I should not stutter too much, and the conversation had to end with a good feeling. I had never done this before and I wanted myself to do it perfectly. No wonder I felt paralyzed :) So, I am giving myself permission to start conversations with strangers and be bad at them. I give myself permission to look weird. I give myself permission to stutter so much that the person might walk away. It might get awkward. I can handle awkward. Expect it to go bad, and do it anyway.