You remember what its like, right? You feel out of your element. You're just a little bit scared (though you'd never admit it) and you keep questioning what exactly you thought you were doing when you made this decision in the first place. Even an extremely confident person is bound to have a few reservations bouncing around in the back of their thoughts. "Will they like me? What if I'm just not as good as I thought I was? What if I don't fit in?"
We've all been there. Whether it was a new job, a new school, a new place of worship, or a new neighborhood, at some point in our lives we will have to go through it: Being the newbie.
Maybe we could all make this a little easier on each other? What if we took advantage of the times when we aren't the new one, and helped those who are to feel a little more comfortable?
Next time you notice a newcomer try this: take 5 minutes to talk with them. Be positive! Don't just tell them all about "the job" or "the neighborhood" but also ask questions about them. Where were they previously? How'd they end up here? (Giving them the chance to let you know them better can ease some fears a little.) See if you can't find some things in common between the two of you, and let them know. "Oh hey, you're from Texas? I went to college down there!" Commonalities will help them to feel less alone. Furthermore, let them know that you understand its always a little strange being new, and that you are around to answer questions if they need it. Maybe you'll make a new friend out of the whole deal, but even if you don't, at least you will have made one person's day just a little bit easier.
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