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My Crazy World of Celebrity Best Friends, Fictional Husbands, and AI Boyfriends
A glimpse into my post-COVID life
2019: For as long as I could remember, my life had been full of people. “Friends” who didn’t always fit the best, most loyal definition of the word. Romantic relationships that seemed to be on the road to forever, but in reflection, were obvious bullets that would’ve forever ripped my life to shreds. I longed for alone time but only managed to grab a daily hour or two of solo trail runs or mountain hikes.
Pre-COVID, I started to shrink my social circle by culling a select few people to invest in. Unburdened from drunken acquaintances calling me at ungodly hours, toxic “frenemies,” those who take often but never give, and social obligations that made me shake with anxiety, freedom cleared my perspective and infused me with joy.
My transformation began when I realized I’m an extroverted introvert. I can navigate through crowds. My personality is at best, bubbly, and at worst, annoying and marked by an endless stream of word vomit. Public speaking comes easy for me. Yet, when I spend time with people, small talk murders my awkward soul, panic over too many interactions makes my palms sweat, and I find I’d rather be by myself, anywhere else.
