"Conversational Narcissist"

I read about this the other day.

I think I have a habit of doing this sometimes and sometimes more than sometimes.

Turning the conversation back to ME with the intention of "relating" to what someone is saying.

"I'm having a bad day."  Me too.  "I'm really tired."  Me too.  "Life feels hard."  For me too.

The intention is to say you're not alone, but the reality is it becomes about ME.  Especially when the feelings are hard ones.  (Grief, sadness, loneliness, etc).  It fills a space when I don't know what to say.

I'm going to be careful about this -- I can offer something that relates, but AFTER I listen and HEAR what my friend is telling me.  Being quiet.  Being curious.

I like the CURIOUS thing a lot.  It's one of my journal list items (Rachel Hollis journal).  Curious comes in handy in a number of situations.  Boring conversation -- be curious and the conversation isn't boring.  Variety -- be curious and you learn and experience more.  Connection -- be curious and someone feels heard and appreciated.

I need to give CURIOUS more regular focus.

That my PSA for Future Me reading this post -- REMEMBER this!!  (I took this to heart last night.)


Anyway ...

Last night was WORTH IT.  A nice night connecting with people I shared a few awesome years really knowing.  We talked about EVERYTHING with this group and I miss them.

(Not loving myself in the pictures, but that's a self worth talk for another time.)

Touch the Bump picture

The Battery was nice and nicely NOT crowded because of the holiday.  Don't think it would be that great with crowds and lots of traffic.  It took me an hour to get there with light traffic.  I can check it off my list though.

El Felix is coveted at its location up north (near me).  Can't touch the place -- always packed.  I have no idea what the fuss is about.  It was okay.  Our server was awesome, but the food was overpriced and over smoked (everything had smoky flavor and I'm not a fan).  I still overate chips and salsa -- hah.  Took my entire dinner home for leftovers tonight.  Another check off my list and P.S. glad I never waited in the 2 hour waits to try it (no reservations).

Because of a rainy day today, I ran on the trail yesterday morning.  Remember my goal to cut 4 minutes off my 3-mile time?  I already cut one minute yesterday.  (I knew the first 1-2 minutes would be fairly easy.)  Now for the harder work -- but first a workout rest day.

My car is going in the shop for the big tuneup so hubby and I are trying a new place for lunch.  A big work-shop-live-eat place had its soft opening a few weeks ago.  We want to see what's what.  He's dropping me after at a coffee shop to catch up with a girlfriend (who will take me back to my car).  Hubby's out tonight with the men's group in the neighborhood (local Mexican restaurant -- probably better than El Felix - hah).  I get peace and quiet and rest tonight.  Yea!!

Tomorrow is my coaching call and I'm stumped at what to chat about -- although something always presents.

Narrowed book selections to 3 ... stay tuned.  I need a good fiction book.

Today feels like the weekend since I'm such a party animal going out on a Monday.  Have a great day.  My plans are FUN and RECOVERY.  Later gators.