What I Learned from Attending a Meetup: How to Break Through Shyness!!

Hello there~☺️
Yesterday, I went to a meetup for a StandFM community🙌
I'm still surprised I actually went to a gathering where I didn't know a single soul, haha.
But at this point, things like this are just training, right? Haha.
As someone who wants to be able to talk to strangers without feeling nervous, I want to keep working on this skill👍

Anyway, today I'd like to share some thoughts I had based on my experience at that meetup.
As a result, I was able to have proper conversations with about 2 to 4 people, but among them, I had some great, long talks with two people in particular.
This really confirms that I'm much better at one-on-one conversations than group ones☺️ (at least when meeting for the first time).
If it's with people I already know to some extent, I love the hustle and bustle of a large group, though✌️

But when you go to these kinds of events, everyone is already split up into little groups talking.
On top of that, I arrived a little late, so the self-introductions were already over, and everyone had already formed groups. It was an 'away game' from the start—the situation I'm worst at😂

Honestly, I thought it would be more people meeting for the first time, but it turned out everyone already knew each other. I could hear people saying 'Long time no see!' everywhere😂
I could hear the shutters of my heart slamming shut all at once, haha.
When I'm surrounded by people who seem like high-energy socialites, I can literally feel my blood pressure rising💦

Just as I was thinking, 'What should I do?', the person who invited me to the event came over to talk to me. Even though we hadn't met before, the atmosphere was easy to talk in, so we ended up chatting a lot✌️
#SoGrateful😭

As I asked that person about the other members of the community, the prejudice I had—that this was just a group of socialites—gradually faded away, haha.
The impression of them as a group changed into impressions of individuals, and I started to see the people for who they were.

That person had to leave halfway through, so I was on my own again, but when I looked around the venue, I could see details I hadn't noticed before.
People helping with the food (the venue had a kitchen, so it was a potluck🙌), groups having a blast, people moving around to mingle with everyone, and people standing alone wondering what to do.

I always think about this, but I'm bad at the so-called 'starting a conversation.' Once I start talking, I can be quite assertive, but I get timid about that first step.
#I guess that's what you call shyness, haha.

So I realized that to clear that first hurdle, there are only two options:
・Start a conversation
・Have someone start a conversation with you
#Well, obviously.

The person who talked to me first did so because they felt responsible since they invited me. If I were to start a conversation now, I realized I could create an opening if the person stood out visually or if I had some prior information about them.

What these 'starting a conversation' scenarios have in common is having 'a prior hook.'
Things like: 'We've interacted a little before,' 'There's something about their outfit I want to comment on,' or 'I have some background information on them.'
Then there are the 'conversation starters'—topics that apply to everyone even without personal background info, like 'How's the weather?' 'Where are you from?' or 'Do you come here often?'
In any case, I realized I shouldn't just wait to be spoken to🙌

Also, the moment you accidentally make eye contact is your chance!!
Since it's a meetup, basically everyone there wants to interact with someone. Surprisingly, everyone is looking for a timing or an opening, so there's no need to feel intimidated!!
If you just take a deep breath and go for it, you'll find it's surprisingly easy to start a conversation☺️
So, contrary to my initial impression, I ended up having a great time and went home happy🙌 (I'd love to go again).

Thank you for reading until the end🙌

Currently, in the Paris event community, we are sharing the ins and outs of the event preparations in real-time✌️ If you're interested, please check it out and join.
👇Our YouTube channel is here


#FavoriteAndWait !!!!!!!

＼🇫🇷Click here to join the community／
Open Chat 'Spring 2026🌸 Paris🇫🇷 Event'

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https://www.instagram.com/japon_in_paris?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MWp6Y3NsdnJ4dWRqcQ==

In this note, I will be sharing the behind-the-scenes of the Japanese event being held in Paris next spring, as well as my challenges as an entertainment industry photographer, in real-time.
◼︎I am currently looking for teammates.
The project has only just begun.
I am looking for people to help bring this to life together, or people who can help out locally.
▶ People living in Paris who can help with the event
▶ People who want to help deliver Japanese culture to the world together
▶ People who want to support us
Any form of support is welcome.
If you are even slightly interested, I would be happy if you could connect with me via comment or DM.

From now on, I will be writing about the progress of the preparations, behind-the-scenes stories, and the situation on the ground in this note.
Please watch over this challenge with me!!
———
🎙stand.fm：https://stand.fm/channels/6814bb924d20b5ed88cd21ce
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