Making friends has always been hard for me. The process feels like entering an ice-cold swimming pool on hot summer day. I know the water is going to feel great after I get in, but the action of actually getting into the pool takes a little while.
I always study the water at first, debating whether or not I want to dive headfirst into the deep end or take it slow, easing into knee-deep depths, and finally, after the water gets past my belly button, being able to fully submerge.
There are a lot of people who take the alternate route, as well, diving headfirst into the water without any thought at all. And sometimes, I wish that were me. It certainly looks cooler than entering a pool the same way most children under the age of five enter one.
I often wish the headfirst approach was more my style when it comes to forming friendships, too - Avoiding the awkward song and dance of debating whether or not to approach someone and introduce myself, but instead walking straight up to a stranger or group of strangers, thrusting out a sweaty right hand in confidence for a handshake and introductions. Nonetheless, I’m a slow-wader, and not only do slow-waders need time to meet people and form friendships, we need even more time to find roommates and even more time to be-friend those roommates, rather than just treating them like roommates.
-Cliff
Cliff’s Note: Dive or don’t.