Hi! I have social anxiety too. Had it my whole life in one form or another.

I think it’s cool you’re going on a “sort of” date. For me, doing things out of the comfort zone can be hard. What are your hopes for the date - like are you wanting to form a friendship? Looking to gain dating experience? Or maybe looking for a partner? If you were my friend, I’d probably say that you don’t need to do anything you’re not comfortable with, even of it feels like you “should” want to. Walking on a nature trail sounds like a good time. I hope you have fun!

I got back into reading about 8 years ago. I used to read a lot as a kid/teenager. At some point I realized how much time I was spending scrolling through things on the internet and decided to try and read books with that time instead.

At first I set a goal to read one book a month. I got a library card so it was free. I found the loan timeframe actually helped, since it had a due date. Audiobooks have been great too, since I can listen while doing things around the house. I made my goal the first year. Then each year after that, I try to match or surpass the previous. I’m currently at 38 books this year!

I like to read fiction but mix some nonfiction in there too. I mostly gravitate towards fantasy.

As for life stage, similar age, with a partner, and no kids, so I have quite a bit of leisure time.

For reading habits, I have tried to allow myself to put books down and not force myself to finish if I’m not enjoying it. I used to try and power through, but would end up dreading reading. So now, doesn’t matter how far into the book - if it’s no longer interesting, I’m done and move on to the next.

So true. Both the flavor and texture of home grown are so much better.

The only holiday I decorate for is Halloween. We put a few things up indoors every year and our front yard decorations are slowly growing with pumpkin and haunted garden themed items. I like to put purple and orange solar lights out too. Otherwise we don’t celebrate any other holidays by decorating. I do leave any general fall stuff out through Thanksgiving, but it’s more just Halloween leftovers.

Tomatoes or mushrooms. Both were a texture thing. I made some diet changes as an adult, so I’m not sure if that helped in changing my opinion, but now I’m fine with mushrooms and grow tomatoes in my garden every year!

12 mini for me too, for the same reason. Hopefully the trend will reverse and smaller phones will become more popular.