I’ve discovered that I have all sorts of nervous habits when I talk to people. The most recent habit that I’ve developed is seemingly an inability to look people in the eye, especially when I’m interacting with people working at a restaurant, or at store, or such, or meeting new people I don’t know. (I have also developed an affinity to hide behind sunglasses.) I don’t know why this is. Am I afraid that if they look into my eyes, they will learn more about me than I care to reveal? Is it because I don’t want to look them in the eye and know a hint of the cares or hurts in their lives? Sometimes I wonder if I’ve reached the limit of the number of people that I can allow to know me personally and can know personally and I’m just trying to shut everyone else out. Have I been stretched too thin?

I don’t know, but in the new year, I’m going to try to look people in the eyes and not be afraid to let them know more about me and learn more about them.