Anyone who knows me would never associate that descriptor-social butterfly-to me. I am an introvert through and through. I used to think that introverts always prefer to be alone. But what learned over the last year is that introverts are people who recharge by being alone. I've struggled my whole life with seasons of loneliness. We grow older and need the companionship of someone outside of just our parents, siblings, and immediate family. As we grow older we look for that in a romantic partner. And for someone who has never been in love, I think I felt a sense of shame and a struggle with feelings or worthiness.

Growing older has also shown me that is only in my own head-we're all too wrapped up in our own stories in our heads to truly spend that much energy judging someone else's decisions and path in life.

This past year I've been working on becoming more social. Photography has been a huge help in that regard. Through photography I've started going to local mixers and meet-ups of other creatives. Through photography I've explored new and familiar places with new and familiar faces. Through photography and these experiences I'm learning more about myself and my needs. I'm learning that the moments of quiet and solitude are what make the moments of socializing so enjoyable and much more relaxed than my adolescent years.

I've found so many incredible people through the past eight months. I find that I rarely regret actually going out to be social, but I almost always regret giving in to fear and staying home. That little intuition is a smart woman, and I've learned to listen to her guidance more and more as the years have gone by.