the universe is in us

Most friending memes or communities that I've come across seem to want you to list out your top fives, your favourites and that is not something I am particularly good at. I can either name nothing because you've put me on the spot and I've panicked, or you'll never shut me up because you've asked me to talk about things I love

I understand why it's a popular question. It's something people can bond over, there's that automatic 'oh, you like the same things as me', it's a starting point for conversation and it gives a common ground to start a friendship from.

I also wish I wasn't quite so 'shy' online. I'm not in real life, I'm a sociable woman who will chat away to anyone but the idea of commenting on peoples posts is somewhat nerve wracking. When it's just words, outside of academia, I lack confidence. I don't know how to properly convey myself, to express what I'm thinking and feeling. I rely as much on body language, tone, facial expression, gesture as I do words and not being able to use them.

I'm also somewhat unsure of how to introduce myself. My standard little profile blurb of

My name is Samantha and I’m a Welsh geek who loves to bake, especially cupcakes. I also have a passion for physics, engineering, mechanics, floral dresses, rugby, 80s pop music and science fiction

doesn't seem quite enough. It is a nutshell varient of me although it seems so much of what I think makes me is missing... but I'm not entirely sure what does constitute a proper introduction/profile, what information is pertinent or interesting and what I can say that makes me 'attractive' to other people.

Especially as I don't think of myself as a fandom person

This all makes the whole friending issue somewhat difficult.

Jack says I'm overthinking it. Lucy says I need to just be myself. Both of which are simultaneously true yet rather unhelpful.