Recently, I’ve joined a writing group and am now sitting in a café, trying to write something for my blog.

But my mind is empty.

I glance around at the 5 other people in the group. Each is absorbed in their own world, writing quietly while I stare at a blank OneNote page.

As I sit there searching for something to write, I realize how comfortable I feel in the presence of others.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that this didn’t happen overnight.

It began after I left a group therapy program in 2024. At that time, I realized I needed to expand my social circle and become more comfortable being  around others.

Initially, I thought the answer was learning how to chat easily with others, so I joined two highly social groups. The group members were always changing, which made it hard to build familiarity.

Every time I attended a gathering, I felt pressured and struggled to join in. After a few meetings, I stopped going.

But, I didn’t give up. I told myself that there had to be another way.

I stepped back from the idea for a while.

In April this year, I decided to try a different approach: joining low-pressure groups where I could see the same people regularly.

So, I joined a writing group with the format “Just write, no talk.” I treated it as an experiment rather than a commitment I needed to immediately get right.

I also signed up for “3 Weeks of Watercolor on Yupo – Discover Your Flow.” This felt like a gentle step toward shared creative experience. It fits naturally with my interest in art and also felt like a low-pressure way to be around others consistently.

Surprisingly, I found the two groups calming rather than intimidating. There was no expectation to entertain, socialize constantly, or change how I naturally am.

I realized that maybe connection for me does not always need words. Sometimes simply sharing space with others quietly already feels meaningful.