“Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”
― Anais Nin, The Diary of Anaïs Nin, Vol. 1: 1931-1934
I organized my first Meetup event two weeks ago on Enoshima Island. The main reason I started the group was to explore my neighboring areas with others. During high school and college, I often explored the Shonan region alone. I enjoyed the solitude and didn’t feel the need for company.
But ever since I started attending Meetup events ten years ago, a lot has changed. I’ve made new friends, both Japanese and foreign. Knowing a great deal about this region, I was inspired to start my own meetup and lead others.
Hosting events has many benefits, particularly for improving my socializing skills. Ever since childhood, stuttering has made me less social and outgoing. However, I believe I can overcome this challenge, and I’ve been actively working on it. Organizing a meetup event was one step toward overcoming my stutter and enhancing my ability to socialize.
On the day of my meetup, seven people attended, thankfully. One of them was a guy who was half-American and half-Japanese. He used to be my friend until a few years ago when we had an argument over differing opinions.
Despite my stuttering, I didn’t stammer much during the event and was able to lead the group effectively. The attendees varied in age, but we quickly became friends and had a great time together. It was such an enjoyable experience.
