Why The Lookout?

Change can be a good thing, that's if you will let it.

Since I started my Substack page, I never gave too much thought to what my publications name would be or even look like.

I just decided to go with my name and then have Substack on the end.

I was just starting out, so main thing was to get started. so that I can do what I’ve been wanting to do for years, and that is to write.

That’s what most of us are here for right?

There is still quite a bit of work that needs to be done. I just saw the other day, that my welcome email literally had welcome to the introverts lookout and then the general message of where to find my mail. (can’t believe I didn’t sort that out earlier)

I was not very happy with myself for letting that slip, when someone clicks subscribe. which many of you have done these past few days. A person doesn’t just want to get some generic message right?

I have fixed that. will most likely go back and change it again.

Just wanted to apologize to all of you who got a general welcome mail.

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Back to my headline why the lookout?

Photo by Dima Langemann on Unsplash

As an introvert, we spend most of our time to ourselves. When people come around for a visit or when we reluctantly do the visiting. We spend our time looking around at everyone, only talking when someone asks you a question directly. In my case its normally a very short answer.

The rest of the time gets spent in our heads, talking to ourselves. Listening to what everyone else has to say and then drawing our conclusions to those very conversations. hardly letting what we think out, unless called on by name.

I should probably say what I think in these situations.

Guess it feels like to much work? Or that its easier to keep those thoughts to myself?.

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For some weird reason, I quite enjoy talking to people online, I really enjoy commenting on people’s posts. Not on Facebook/twitter. But here on Substack, getting to know people from all over the word is truly amazing. We are so lucky to be living in this time.

You really get to know someone by what they choose to share with not just you, but the whole world at the same time.

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Having someone has your lookout is very important.

·        You need someone to warn you of potential dangers.

·        Someone to let you steer in a different direction.

·        Or just to have that person there to make you feel safe.

·        That person may not be strongest person around, but when he/she speaks, you listen.

We know who we are, even if it may not seem like it.

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Being the quite one does have its disadvantages as well, no doubt about that.

There have been a number of times, where I have met a girl who I really liked, and instead of doing what others will say is simple. which is to open your mouth and talk to her. I will literally just smile and wave.

I might get a few words in there but that’s about that.

The funny thing is when I’m lying in bed at night, I will go over and over in my head about that. Taking to myself about how it went, what I should or shouldn’t have done. Saying to myself you should have talked to her more. Maybe you could have gotten her number?

Being an introvert can have you to be with yourself a bit too much at times. But I guess when you are so used to it. it doesn’t bother you as much? maybe more so when you are older and you are at that point when you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, maybe have kids etc.

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Being the quite one allows us to take our time, take a step back. look at the whole picture and only once we have done that do we say what it all means.

Introverts have learnt the art of listening. we have taken it to a level that our extrovert friends may not understand. sure they hear what everyone is saying, but we hear the things that know one else hears. it could be a word or a look, that everyone else misses.

So the million dollar question is how do we get other people to go at our pace?

Introverts like us love to take their time when it comes to meeting people. maybe to long in my case.

When we want to get to know you, we want to really know you.

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Photo by Japheth Mast on Unsplash

So this is just me looking out onto the world around me. taking everything in.

We may are may not need someone to be always looking out for us. but sometimes its just nice to know that someone has your back.

Lord knows we need someone like that.

I sure do.

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Stepping out in to the world is no longer a place that feels safe. having someone to walk you through it sure does help.

This lookout is here to make sure that we have a safe place to share are thoughts, dreams, moments of joy and moments of sadness.

A lookout that will allow both of us to take our time.

All of us may not yet be ready to share our thoughts with the whole world. but just knowing that there is someone like you who felt like that and with each step he took, he overcome those fears and decided to finally hit publish.

I started out with a total stranger believing in me, from a country far away from me. she gave me the confidence to keep going.

I hope I have given you enough confidence to take the next step in your writing journey.

We are all not perfect, but being imperfect may just what the world needs.

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I would love to read your stories.

When you are ready to share them with us.