I was feeling kind of crappy this morning. Thoughts like I hadn't been talking to enough people, and that I've been isolating myself socially were floating through my head, despite the fact that I knew that these are not completely true.

So I sat down and wrote out names (if I had them) or the identifying characteristics of social events of the past weeks. I broke them down into two categories, "Somewhat meaningful interactions" and "Casual interactions".

I classified them based on the idea of my impression of the interaction. If I felt fairly confident that they would remember me pretty easily the next time I ran into them, they were classified as Somewhat Meaningful, even if the interaction ended up way beyond that (# Closes, FCloses, etc). If I knew they wouldn't remember me without a full-on description of the circumstances of which we met, they went directly to the Casual Interactions category.

My "Somewhat meaningful interactions" category ended up with 20 people in it.

My "Casual Interactions" has 15 people in it.

I was surprised at how the numbers broke down. I tried to limit the timeframe to 2 weeks, but in some cases I went over to allow myself to use a few good examples. (IE, opening a 2 set half-drunk at the bar to get a drink recommendation nearly a month ago)

Now, after the list is complete I feel alot better about my social abilities. Doing this let me also analyze each interaction in hindsight, so I could identify the weak points from each interaction. I haven't gone so far as to write those down, but if I did it would be a great study tool for my own growth.

If you need some inner game support, I'd recommend giving this a try. It helped me out quite a bit, and I'm anxious to see if/how it helps anyone else out there.

Also, first post! Been lurking now the better part of a month, and this board has definitely 1) helped me waste too much time at work 2) get over one-itis after the breakup of a 4yr ltr 3) given me the skill to work her opening me into a full-on fclose, where before I woulda clammed the fuck up and stared into my beer.

Game on, bitches!

Interesting! Not my style (I don't write stuff down), but none the less!

Thanks!

I find I can analyze things a bit easier when I have it all out in front of me.. it helps act as a focus point for my thoughts, to keep things going correctly.

I was also making a list, and had to write it down. I could have typed it out, but a sheet of paper and a pencil was right here.