15 Comments

Happy birthday! And congrats on Jen Zug Writes! Like you, I'm a cannonballer (does that make us "ballers"?), so I can't wait to see what else is in store for us.

Expand full comment

omg I LOVE that! We are totally Ballers! 😂

Expand full comment

Happy birthday! In a sea of parties for our book launch, I am reminded that I've worked super hard over the years to be a good party host/guest, but I'm *definitely* still an introvert in the sense that my energy recharges from time alone and not time amidst people. But still trying to have fun and enjoy the time with others! It's a hard balance sometimes.

Expand full comment

I would be curious to hear your thoughts about the idea of friendship rituals.

Expand full comment

Ohhhh say more about friendship rituals? I have not heard this term, and my knowledge of Biblical Old Testament rituals (sacrifices on burning altars) does not apply here (I assume?).

Re parties and recharging, I definitely find that small group settings with people I know drain my introvert batteries less than larger groups with more shallow interactions. They are fun in the moment (mostly), but wow do I crash hard.

Expand full comment

That was a really fabulous article - thank you for sharing!! (I don't know, we could bring the burning altars back for friendship rituals of some kind... maybe not sacrifice, but I like this plan)

Expand full comment

Happy Birthday Jen 🎉

When I am in a certain mood I can be the life of the party but that doesn’t always happen. I am looking forward to more party or at least more in person social interactions. The pandemic didn’t kill me but it killed so many activities that brought me joy. Onwards to building up more joy!

Expand full comment

Thank you for the birthday wishes! I have seen you be a great facilitator of fun, and I love that about you. I, too, hope we can get through the winter without any major social setbacks.

Expand full comment

Happy Birthday! This is so good, Jen. I’m like you. Definitely not good at small talk. I can do super silly funny or let’s talk about all the real shit. I have felt like I don’t know how to do social situations most of my life.

Expand full comment

Thank you for the encouragement, Mollie. We can be Ballers together!! (see Holly's comment above LOL)

Expand full comment

Oh my gosh! I love that. LOL. Kendall always says that I want a start a friendship two years in after having gone through something meaningful together. Definitely a Baller!

Expand full comment

Happy birthday! I honestly don't know what my big group energy is anymore. It's been too long. And it probably depends on the vibe of the group. I went to a music festival last weekend that included a variety of friend and friend of friends, and it was really lovely, but maybe the first practice I've had at that since 2019, and it felt nice. I ping ponged between groups, got really excited when I saw someone I wasn't expecting, and felt like the life of the party. But the last time I went to a (different) outdoor concert with a group, I felt super anxious, like I wasn't welcomed (to be fair, someone literally put their chair in a crescent in such a way that I was on the other side of the group with my kids), and definitely was NOT the life of the party. I did still ping pong and maybe should have stayed longer with the other group where I felt like I was intruding a little bit, but not in a BAD way like the first group :-/ Yeesh. Give me the big music festival with low key friends any day.

Expand full comment

Happy Birthday! You have such a gift. While you may find the small talk awkward, you speak the truth and people are drawn in to listen. Keep being real and being you.

Expand full comment

OH EM GEE! I have no ability to small talk. I’m all in and that makes for awkward conversations! Flash back to crying the first time we talked.

I’m v late, but I hope you had a good birthday!

Expand full comment