Pop Up Meet Ups in Cornwall: Have a go at something new that you might just enjoy, too.
Do you love trying out new activities? Or do you feel a bit anxious about having a go at something new with other people? Perhaps it’s a bit of both, like me?
In the last few months of 2022, I stretched my comfort zone by joining in sessions of laughing yoga, writing, costume life drawing and a singing lesson – three were Pop Up Meet Ups each arranged by a different colleague here and the fourth was testing out an idea for something I had in mind (find out what below).
I’m always fascinated by how I feel before, during and after taking on a new challenge, noticing how any nervousness might manifest in my thoughts or in my body. Of course, it’s never how I picture it to be.
I mean, I hadn’t drawn since taking GCSE Art and worried that in Costume Life Drawing I would be surrounded by people who were incredible artists taking things seriously – and while there were different levels of artistic talent, no one’s drawings were perfect. In fact, the timing of the models poses meant that we were drawing a knight in full shining armour in as little as one minute at a time – which is surprisingly good at getting your heart pumping and meant we simply couldn’t help but chuckle at our quick-draw attempts. I even did one sketch I felt quite proud of – along with many unrecognisable figures, too.
And in the writing session, I worried about coming up with something good and sharing my writing with a group risking being judged. Yet, everyone took a different approach that couldn’t be compared, each prompting reflections that turned into a hugely enjoyable and inspiring conversations. Again, it didn’t matter what we had written, it was just about taking some time to reflect, but for me it re-ignited a long-lost joy… I’ve been exploring, writing, and even sharing poetry since then.
Laughing yoga was as bizarre as it sounds, and oh so funny. Not knowing what to expect, I worried about being silly in front of the group – which seems a bit daft now I say it seeing as silliness and laughter is the whole point and we were in it together. In the end, I embraced the improv, unleashed my inner Mutley laugh and felt really good for it at the end.
And I hadn’t realised how nervous I was about singing in front of someone until I was on my way and it hit me – I remembered my friend at primary school laughing at me because “everyone could hear me sing” in assembly, and my mum telling me how “out of tune” I was as I sang along to the radio in the car. There was a reason I kept my voice reserved for private car journeys and kitchen dancing. But it was incredible to experience what I could do with my voice when I picked up a few tips. I heard that my voice can be good, even if I don’t always know how to use it. I even sang in church the next week, letting me voice be heard instead of miming this time. Yep, this was me getting a taste for the next Pop Up Meet Up…
If I’m honest, I doubt I would have done any of these things if it wasn’t for Quiet Connections and our wonderful community. Somehow, you just make it feel safe to show up and have a go at something unknown and new to me – and I truly hope that you feel the same way, too.
Our Pop Up Meet Ups are designed to help you enjoy something you might not normally do with likeminded people in a calm and gentle way that feels authentic to your true quiet self. And coming up we have two have-a-go Meet Ups for you to join:
Singing for Wellbeing in Truro on Monday 16th January at 7pm (almost full)
Costume Life Drawing in Falmouth on Saturday 4th February at 11am
These light-hearted sessions are suitable for complete beginners – it’s a safe space for you to gently stretch your comfort zone as part of a community of quieteers who truly get you. I’ll be at both Meet Ups and would love for you to join me so you can have a go at something that you might just find you enjoy, too.
You can also join us every Wednesday 6-8pm at Falmouth Weekly Meet Up. The Truro Weekly Meet Up will resume very soon in a new location, too, but there will be no session this Monday.
See all Meet Ups here: quietconnections.co.uk/meetups
