do not rely on friends to start

by lou blake

A common trap is thinking you need a friend with you to approach, it feels safer, it feels more normal, and it can reduce the awkwardness at first. but the problem is you will not have consistent friends available, and if you tie your progress to that, you stop being consistent. It's like going to the gym and needing a spotter each time. Half the time your spotter isn't free, or they show up for a couple weeks then they drop off. need to figure out how to enjoy solo sessions

Being out alone can feel weird in the beginning, especially when you are not in conversations and you feel exposed to the elements, exposed to potential embarrassment etc. but it is part of the process, and once you accept it, you gain comfort and confidence.

- i stopped waiting for someone to join - i picked a location i could handle solo - i told myself I just needed to get out and walk around, maybe say things to a couple people - i focused on getting the reps and not feeling comfortable, but accepting the discomfort

If you want support, it can be as simple as sending updates to someone after the session, that keeps it real, but the session itself is yours, and once you can show up alone, you stop needing perfect conditions. It's critical to have accountability, but relying on a friend locally almost always fails in the long run

You get stronger when you accept that solo approaching is key to sticking with it long term. It's a mindset shift