Okay, so I was digging into this movie, Self Reliance, and let me tell you, the ending really got me thinking. I decided to do a little experiment of my own, kind of inspired by the film.
Getting Started
First off, I watched the movie. It’s about this guy, Tommy, who gets involved in a dark web reality game where he’s hunted for 30 days. If he survives, he wins a million bucks. The catch? He’s only in danger when he’s alone.
I thought, “What if I try to mimic this, but without the life-threatening part?” So, I set up my own challenge. I decided I had to spend a whole week without being completely alone, but I couldn’t just hang out with my usual crowd. I had to get creative.
The Experiment
- Day 1: I kicked things off by going to a coffee shop. I sat there for hours, just reading and people-watching. I even struck up a conversation with the barista about their weirdest customer stories.
- Day 2: I joined a walking tour of my city. I’ve lived here forever, but I figured, why not? I ended up chatting with a couple of tourists, and we grabbed lunch together afterward.
- Day 3: I signed up for a cooking class. It was a blast! I learned how to make pasta from scratch, and I teamed up with another newbie. We were both terrible, but it was hilarious.
- Day 4: I hit up a local board game cafe. I’m not a huge gamer, but I figured it’d be a good way to meet people. I ended up joining a game of Settlers of Catan with a group of regulars.
- Day 5: I went to a free yoga class in the park. It was pretty relaxing, and I got to talking with some of the other participants after the session.
- Day 6: I decided to volunteer at an animal shelter. It was a bit out of my comfort zone, but it felt good to give back. Plus, who can be lonely when you’re surrounded by adorable puppies and kittens?
- Day 7: I finished the week by attending a live music show at a small venue downtown. I went by myself but ended up dancing and chatting with the people around me.
The Results
By the end of the week, I was exhausted but in a good way. I realized how often I default to being alone, even when I don’t have to be. This experiment pushed me to connect with people I wouldn’t have otherwise met.
Just like Tommy in the movie, I found that stepping out of my comfort zone led to some unexpected and rewarding experiences. It wasn’t about winning a million dollars, but it was about challenging myself to be more open and engaged with the world around me.
In the end, I think Self Reliance, despite its crazy premise, has a point. It’s not just about the game; it’s about the human connections we make, and maybe, we all need is to just knock on somebody’s door. It’s about how we choose to live our lives and who we choose to share them with. And for me, this little experiment was a good reminder of that.