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around the corner where two strangers meet over coffee

ilovefalafel

She / Her

San Francisco, CA

ilovefalafel's photo

Baby Nori

Where are you at in your life stage?
I'm a female immigrant who moved to the Bay Area in 2015. I'm currently well established in my career but since I moved here I've struggled with making new friends. I'm currently working on myself and trying to improve my social skills.
How's your life?
My daily life routine revolves around working, going to the gym, taking painting classes, and taking care of my cats and plants. Whenever possible, I like to do outdoor stuff like camping and hiking.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Going to the gym and keeping in contact with nature (hiking, camping, offroading)
What is most important to you right now?
Strengthening my current friendships and improving my social life. After a bad breakup, I woke up to the fact that I was neglecting my friends, who are not that many since I didn't grow up in the US.
Anything you recently found interesting?
This Reddit post, which brought me here: https://www.reddit.com/r/bayarea/comments/1alecrf/talking_to_strangers_for_12_months_connecting/ OP's story is very similar to my story and I'm feeling very inspired by their post.
TheMoose1234
love Baby Nori! I've got a black cat as well, his name is Apollo and he's been a great addition to the family :)
Reply to TheMoose1234
ilovefalafel
Hi @TheMoose1234. She's a lovebug! She's 3 now, this pic is old but I think she was so cute as a kitten.
Reply to ilovefalafel
What's one thing you wish you could unlearn?
Asked by

CH

That I need to take care of everyone and everything around me.
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Menlo Park
That I don't need to keep chasing new accomplishments to feel worthy! Yes - I grew up in an asian household.
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Saratoga
@0x5344 I can relate to this, even to this day. I'm working to break this pattern after realizing I was applying the same achievement mindset to relationships - trying to 'accomplish' connections and constantly evaluating what I was getting in return. Life is not a business or investment. It's been freeing to accept that relationships, like self-worth, aren't achievements to be unlocked but experiences to be valued for their own sake.
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Mission Viejo
I want to unlearn my tennis backhand so I can relearn it as a two-hander instead of a one-hander. It’s just where the sport is trending that it’s become a liability.
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Saratoga
@CheeseisGood One-handed backhand looks so cool, tho.

TheConstantGardener

She / Her

San Francisco, CA

TheConstantGardener's photo

A moment captured at base camp during my attempt to summit Shasta via Hotlum Glacier route

Where are you at in your life stage?
I’m in my mid 30s, married. Recently quit my job to take a career break. Exploring things that I always put off due to lack of time - beginning with learning piano.
How's your life?
I don’t have much of a routine as of yet, earlier it was mostly dictated by my job, now I am rebuilding it. Generally weekends are quite chill where I try to spend time with my husband. Mornings are typically slower, more active during later part of the day with coffee runs, walks in the neighborhood, cooking.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Nature walks, music, art, a clean home.
What is most important to you right now?
My health and finding a community of friends - I wanna build a daily routine that I can consistently follow, with habits that truly fulfill me (exercising, walking, meditation and journaling) and get me ready for the day. I have realized it’s really hard to develop long lasting adult friendships- most of my old friends have been separated by time or distance and I am looking to make new ones.
Anything you recently found interesting?
Afro soul music - so cool, always uplifts my mood and makes me wanna move. Some of my most played tracks are Antidote by Nao, Essence by Wizkid, Commas and Rush by Ayra Star, Corny by Rema.
TheConstantGardener
@S4revelu2 Oh cool! Thanks for sharing, will check it out :)
Reply to TheConstantGardener
S4revelu2
@TheConstantGardener you're welcomeee :)))
Reply to S4revelu2

lowlyworm

She / Her

Los Angeles, CA

lowlyworm's photo

I went to a 35mm showing of Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity <333

Where are you at in your life stage?
I’m a 20 y/o undergraduate student studying psychology in Los Angeles! I’m a SoCal native but I haven’t explored as much of LA as I’d like to—I’d like to change that and make a friend or two in the process!
How's your life?
Just trying to balance school, internships, and finding time to meet people from all walks of life :)
What helps you keep your sanity?
Creating (I illustrate/design sometimes!), reading (memoirs, fantasy, mystery), and watching every movie under the sun at any local LA theaters (favorites: Princess Mononoke, Tampopo, Ocean’s Eleven).
I also loveee walking and traveling around LA when I have the time and resources to do so (I tend go alone via my college transit pass lol).
What is most important to you right now?
Being secure in who I am! Whether that be through career development, helping my community, or making closer connections with my friends (and potential friends!)—I just want to put myself out there more often, especially as an infp :,)
Anything you recently found interesting?
Not sure what to say here…but you should stream this song (it’s one of my favorites! the character as well 🐈‍⬛): https://open.spotify.com/track/6VTnxajMD15WSIkbrtpw7e?si=qggEvJmoRNCc526KkNE76g
lowlyworm
@grateful1 I plan to do communications for creative industries, with a focus on working directly with communities that need it most :) so I’m looking into working with nonprofits and public arts sectors!
Reply to lowlyworm
fuzz
Traversing LA by metro is so fun and rewarding There is always something new to discover, What are you reading?
Reply to fuzz

Coachella

She / Her

Oakland, CA

Coachella's photo
Where are you at in your life stage?
I’m a 26 year old originally from SoCal living in the Bay. I am enrolled in online grad school full time with a full time job as well, hoping to transition into another field a bit. I have very little free time but want to maximize time for my hobbies and meeting new genuine people as my most of my close friends live far or are moving away!
How's your life?
Life is unpredictable. There are good, bad, sad, stressful, etc. Currently somewhat lonely, looking for more adventure and friends to enjoy it with. Transition periods are always overwhelming, but I make the most of my days :)
What helps you keep your sanity?
I recently have been into Pilates & Yoga which helps keep me grounded. I am a home body, but I do crave a change of routine often. I enjoy playing on my switch, going to concerts, movies, dancing, painting (though I’m not so good), and reading. I like trying new things and I am open to different activities.
What is most important to you right now?
First, finishing grad school and reaching my career goals. I also want to be more physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy.
Anything you recently found interesting?
How hard it is to make friends as an adult! lol
TheMoose1234
Hey we are kinda opposites...I moved from the Bay back to SoCal! Were are you going to grad school?
Reply to TheMoose1234
pandahuman
Hi! I too was in SoCal for a bit and have been meaning to start yoga. It would be fun to connect :)
Reply to pandahuman

Minty

She / Her

Los Angeles, CA

Minty's photo
Where are you at in your life stage?
Sleeping 😌
Restoring + exploring
How's your life?
Learning to ride the waves 🤙🏽
What helps you keep your sanity?
Nature. Redwoods. Cardamom rose smoothies. Polynesian dance. Books are my haven. Jogging + stopping to pet all the cats.
What is most important to you right now?
Air and water. Gentle self care.
Anything you recently found interesting?
Ridiculous reborn manhwa. Shh.....
Minty
@yoghurtpretzel It's in Berkeley and super delicious. Have found delicious comparable smoothies at the Butcher's Daughter in LA ☀️
Reply to Minty
yoghurtpretzel
Ah! I have been to Butcher's Daughter but haven't had their cardamom rose smoothie. Cafe Dulce in Little Tokyo has a great rose green tea latte.
Reply to yoghurtpretzel

Kerbal

He / Him

San Francisco, CA

Kerbal's photo

Recently started exploring photography and sketching thoes photos as a form of mindfulness/focus

Where are you at in your life stage?
Early/soon-to-be-mid 20s, and moved to the city a little under a year ago after graduation. A good number of my close friends stayed in the area as well, great for an initial base of social life but also causing me to find myself not exploring socially as much as I could. I've been trying to figure out how to define life for myself post-graduation - the routines that keep me sane, and how to break those up to keep things interesting.
How's your life?
Pretty good. I enjoy my work and am pretty satisfied with my social life even as I learn to explore more socially and find my footing in the city.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Lifting, drawing, reading, cooking when I have the time, and existing around others
What is most important to you right now?
Developing and defining my social life further
Anything you recently found interesting?
I started sketching somewhat consistently a few weeks back, without any real knowledge/practice previously. Didn't realize that I'd end up with a fairly consistent style after just a few days of doing it, despite it not being something i know how to describe still
Has anyone had a successful IRL meetup from this community?
Asked by

MrsPiggy

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San Jose
I’m 2/2! Got to meet two great people on here!
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San Mateo
@Amaranthine Aw that is wonderful! I have yet to meet up with anyone, but I think part of the problem is I keep missing the notifications!
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Saratoga
@Amaranthine Hope you had a great time with your fellow strangers ☕️
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Daly City
@Amaranthine sameeeee!!
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Saratoga
Yes, I've met a lot of great humans since Around The Corner started :)
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Daly City
@CH 🥹
Yes, I have. Just once!
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Daly City
@plumeriapassion howww did it gooo for youu?
@S4revelu2 We still keep in touch
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Daly City
@plumeriapassion awwhhh, thaats awesomee!! loveee to heaar itt!
@S4revelu2 Thank you! Wishing you genuine connection as well
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Daly City
@plumeriapassion thaank youuu, thank youuu ❤️ likeeewiseee, as always for youuu tooo! ifff youuu seee anyyy plumeriaaas lettt meee knoww 🥹🥹 hhhhh!!!

Rvses

He / Him

San Jose, CA

Rvses's photo
Where are you at in your life stage?
Late 20s!
I recently got affected by back-to-back tech job layoffs in the past 2 years, along with loss of a friend to cancer. The pandemic took a large toll out of who I was so I have been spending the last however long trying to go back to "normal" (whatever normal is in this time). One thing though - I am trying to say 'yes' to more things.
How's your life?
Mentally, the best it has been in a while. I am taking some time off from drinking, "recreational fun" and eating junk which has made things a lot better. Regular exercise has been important but also taking some breaks is also important.
I spent winter of this year heavily socializing but looking forward to traveling more as well as getting a stable job so I can accomplish more of my long and short term goals.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Both a mixture of alone time & time with friends and family. I burn out from one or the other but having a balance is very important.
I blow off steam by myself by going to the gym a few times a week, being a really big foodie (say no to chain restaurants!), playing games & watching my curated interests on Youtube. When I'm around friends we are usually eating (HAHA), going to concerts, and enjoying what the bay has to offer.
What is most important to you right now?
Stability, Peace & Routine
Anything you recently found interesting?
Life is a lot better when you are not constantly stressing and managing your stress well. Worrying about the future & past does nothing to help you in the present.
Hygge
More power to you!
Reply to Hygge
Scipius02
Omg the life stage section speaks to me. I’m new here and have been wanting to expand my Beli with new restaurants. Feel like a coffee?
Reply to Scipius02