Day 31: Reflections & Final Thoughts
I did it! I completed my goal of attending 30 different Meetup groups for 30 days—can you believe it?! Me either. But here I am in one piece, mostly unscathed and free of emotional damage (aside from some lingering PTSD from that hour of improv…).
But in all seriousness, I feel incredible….and like I’ve gone through some kind of time warp. I don’t think 30 days have ever passed more quickly than the Meetup ones did! The goal of this project was to rescue myself from monotony, and I can honestly say I feel like it’s been a pretty damn successful mission. After all, how can life possibly be boring when you’re swing dancing on rooftops, winning wand duels and doing semi-illicit things in grocery stores?
The general outpouring of enthusiasm has been fantastic. Friends, family, people I hadn’t spoken to in years, total strangers, even Meetup staff members (!!)—you were all so excited for this project, which in turn made me so excited. Thank you! Some of you even liked the project so much you hilariously suggested I do it for another 30 days (ha, ha, no). I had so much fun that I’d be up for the challenge again (maybe in a new city?!), but first let me restock my refrigerator and do some laundry. And, you know, sleep.
And even though I’m finished with this project, I’m definitely not finished with Meetups—not even close. I’ve connected with some genuinely cool people, and found a few groups I’ll be returning to (I’m going to one tomorrow, in fact!)
The Meetup Project was unlike anything I’ve undertaken before, so I have a lot more to say about it. Keep an eye out for a more in-depth article that explores my feelings on the whole experience (SO MANY FEELINGS!), but for now, here’s a quick wrap up of some of the highlights of the last 30 days.
Favorite new skill: Knowing how to completely immobilize a man by jabbing him in the throat. And the eyes. And lots of places.
Biggest challenge in this project: Scheduling. Working 40 hours a week and trying to select and plan a good assortment of Meetups was pretty tough. Some days were gold mines, while other days I had to really search for interesting events. And some days I simply had to attend what was available given my schedule, like that essential oils workshop in a stranger’s home.
Greatest fantasy fulfilled: You might think this would be frolicking with dozens of mini horses on the beach, but that was never a fantasy because it didn’t occur to me that something so magical was even possible. The Mini horse Meetup is in an entirely different category that I still haven’t figured out what to name. So the greatest fantasy fulfilled was being surrounded by as many Airedale Terriers as possible. But sadly, like most fantasies, it ended up being more awkward than cool. Mainly because I showed up to a dog Meetup without a dog. Who knew that would be so weird, right?
Favorite location: Skateworld, hands down. I felt like I had entered into an alternate universe where old men with light-up roller skates reigned supreme.
Meetup that had the biggest impact on me: The Bee Documentary Meetup. Everything went awry, but four strangers came together, connected, and had a wonderful time. I had the epiphany that most strangers will not look at you like a mutant if you walk up to them and strike up a conversation. In fact, they can even be super friendly and lovely.
Biggest regret: Not smuggling a miniature horse into my car and driving off into the sunset, obviously.
Meetup where I felt most at ease: Surrounded by fellow female travelers and expats at the Girl Gone International Meetup. So much fun!
Meetup I most wanted to attend but couldn’t: A “Goat 101” workshop, which evidently talked all about the benefits of raising goats and how to do it. Not that I’m thinking of purchasing a goat, but I just wanted to attend to see the goats they had on site for demonstration. I am an avid follower of the Goats of Anarchy Instagram account, and have developed a bit of an obsession. Goats, miniature horses….maybe I should just quit life and start a farm.
Thing I felt the most uncomfortable doing: Miming what it’s like to play a flute to an audience during improv, or trying in vain to salsa dance. Struggle city for sure.
Greatest lesson(s) learned:
1. My fears are silly, and they are almost never realized.
2. No matter how different a group of people is, it’s still possible to connect on some level (and sometimes many levels!). And I just really love that.
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