New People Energy

At the beginning of the year, I declared I had my circle of friends and didn’t need anymore.  I thought I was a god-damn senior who had her close circle and that was that.  Mission accomplished.  Life in Tokyo made.  

I wanted to ride the wave of the work I had done, because making friends can be hard work.  Lots of dates.  Lots of pulls into circles that aren’t the right fit.  Lots of people wanting your energy and not returning it in exchange.  Lots of learning who you can trust and who you can’t. Lots of cultural differences.

I thought I dated all the people I needed to date to know I’d unearthed the best of the best.  

But, I’ve changed my mind.  In fact, I disagree with that idea totally and completely.  

In the past few month, borders have begun to open and new people have been moving into town.  My city which has been transient free, stagnant compared to what I knew, has been starting to fill with bright-eyed souls with questions on all those food/shelter, lowest level of Maslow’s pyramid stuff. 

And let me tell you; I love these new people.  Japan has a way of changing you.  Of quieting you down.  Ensuring you follow the system.  And learning that playground conversations are reserved for talking about what you did last weekend and what you’ll do the next, using travel as social currency.  It even dulls your light a bit.  You’re quieter.  Less of an individual.  You blend in.  

But these new people, they are still shiny.   Their energy is different and it is intoxicating.

The people that have lived here for awhile all react differently.  Some are weary.  Some do the new friendship dance, their peacock feathers on full display, excited by the possibilities.

For me, it’s a realization that even though I’ve lived in Japan for 4-years now, when sexy new strangers waltz into your life, I can’t not be interested.  I truly love new energy and the possibility of friend soulmates about to change your life. I’m a friend-whore.  Sorry, not sorry.

So, what’s the moral of this story?  Always stay open.  Always stay curious.  Always say yes to coffees and lunches and walks - cause there is always room for more amazing people in your life.