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Stepping out of my comfort zone

I'm constantly complaining about how hard it is to meet people outside of work, and I doubt I'm the only one. I don't think this is a Janesville thing; I think it's more of a life thing. And not that I don't love my friends at work; I just also want some friends who aren't talking about deadlines and sources all the time.

One way I figured I could meet people is by joining a church. Sounds easy, right? Well, showing up at church is, but meeting people is a whole other story. My husband and I had been going to a church off and on for the last few months, but I was too shy to just walk up to people and introduce myself.

Then last week, the church mailed us a bulletin (we hadn't been there the last Sunday) with a hand-written note inviting me to a "ladies night."

Wait, you mean show up at church on a Friday night and hang out with a bunch of women I don't know? It sounded scary, but I screwed up my courage and did it.

And I had a great time. Everyone was very friendly. Most of them said things like, "I've seen you coming to church, but I never knew who you were." Apparently, they felt as nervous introducing themselves to me as I did to them.

Sunday morning, I knew I'd made the right decision as the women I'd met waved, smiled and said "hi" on my way in and out of church. Maybe next time I want to make new friends, I won't wait so long to do it.