RobArt Penguin

Daily writing prompt

Tell us about a time when you felt out of place.

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The daily prompt suggests I mention a time when I felt out of place. My first reaction was always. I always feel like the odd man out. I grew up in a dysfunctional family, so that’s part of it. I’ve become intensely shy, that’s another part. If I had to pick one thing, social situations would be at the top. I was never into sports, so that made hanging out with the “guys” difficult, because I could never follow the conversation. I read somewhere to pick groups that share similar interests. So I need to find introverts who like to discuss stories. I suppose that would be a writer’s group or a book club. My wife takes me to her work gatherings. I make her promise not to let me be on my own. Wimpy right? She’s very social and inevitably wanders off, leaving me to fend for myself. Over the years, I come to embrace my “odd man” status. I’ve made peace with it. At least when people see the quiet guy in the corner by himself, I look happy. Next step: writer’s group.