Navigating new friendships as an introvert

I'm very proud of the connections I have started to make with people.  I don't talk to new people easily and so I don't make friends easily.  If I felt like it was an option, I would just stay home.  But since the divorce, I have recognized the incredible importance of community so have put myself out there despite how awkward and scary it has been.

But I will admit, most of my efforts have been focused on situating myself near people who might invite me places.  I've shared interests with people at work or church who then think of me when they want to do something.  I've signed up for activities, retreats, and groups.  I've sat down next to people at those activities hoping someone will strike up a conversation with me.  With regard to my Improv student showcase, I posted about it online and just generally talked about it waiting for people to express interest.  It's not a bad strategy to start.  It's got me out and with people on quite a few occasions.  It's moved me forward by leaps and bounds from where I started.

But I think if I want to take these friendships further, I need to at least occasionally issue my own invitations to people.  So I did that today.  I have a membership to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and there are one or two people I have in mind who I think would really enjoy the gardens.  So I typed up the text message.  I proofread it maybe a dozen times.  I stared at for a good ten minutes.  I analyzed all the various responses and scenarios.  I thought about running it past my sister but then convinced myself that I could do this.  

And then I hit enter and I think that elevated the anxiety to a whole new level!  At this point, I couldn't take it back.  What if they said no?  What if they didn't want to spend a day with me?

And then the response came back, "Oh, man!  I'd love to" although those specific dates didn't work for her so I threw out a couple more and we have a date penciled on the calendar.  Her response when we settled on a date was "Thank you for asking.  I've also wanted to see it."

I can do this!