It’s funny how life works. You set boundaries, make decisions, and feel empowered by them—then suddenly, the universe laughs and sends you your ex-crush as a next-door neighbor. To recap, Gingerbread Man, as I’ll call him, is the one who turned down my innocent karaoke invite, which came after I’d explicitly told him there’d be “no funny business.” Apparently, my terms for a drama-free hangout were just too high-stakes for him, and it fizzled before it even began.
But, life being what it is, he’s now mysteriously part of my apartment complex, popping up at the most random and inconvenient times. I can’t help but wonder: is this a cosmic nudge that I should step out of my comfort zone and start saying the first “hey” now and then? Maybe this avoidance thing I’ve been doing with guys I’m interested in is getting old—and honestly, exhausting. The whole “playing it cool” vibe I planned to keep was solid in theory, but each time I bump into him, the temptation to say something clever (or maybe just smile) gnaws at me.
I’ve spent so long convinced that making the first move is against my nature. I mean, if someone’s interested, shouldn’t they just show it? Why do I have to be the one to step into uncharted territory? But now I’m questioning if I’ve been hiding behind my own pride or fear of rejection. Could it be that, by refusing to shoot my shot, I’m selling myself short? After all, the worst that can happen is an awkward encounter and moving on, right?
So, here’s where I am. The Gingerbread Man’s unexpected presence has forced me to rethink my whole approach. Maybe shooting your shot isn’t about getting the person but about gaining confidence and breaking down barriers you didn’t even know you had. Maybe it’s a way of saying, “I know what I want, and I’m willing to at least try to go after it.”
Of course, this doesn’t mean I’m sprinting into his arms or texting him a 10-page essay on why we should give karaoke a second chance. But it does mean that I’m rethinking my self-imposed “no first move” policy. Just a little “hello” in the hallway or a quick wave could be the baby steps I need. And, honestly, it could go both ways: maybe he’ll respond, and maybe he won’t. But at least, for once, I’ll be showing that I’m open to something more than just side-eye standoffs in the hallway.
So, here’s to testing the waters, slowly and surely. I’m learning that making the first move doesn’t have to be this monumental, soul-baring confession. It can be a simple act of opening the door to possibilities—even if that possibility is just a friendly wave that leads to nothing. Because at the end of the day, it’s not really about the Gingerbread Man or any other guy; it’s about pushing past my own fears and embracing new experiences.
And maybe, just maybe, I’ll find that I’m braver than I thought.
