Question

Gosh, I hate small talk. I always get really uncomfortable and squirm until I can escape.

This past weekend, we B&B’ed it up—truly one of my favorite weekend getaways. I love the character + charm of a B&B and I always look forward to my favorite meal — breakfast! I always hope for that perfect mix of sweet + savory, paired with coffee…and OJ.. and water (yes, I’m extremely high maintenance with my b-fast drinks). Ironically though, I hate community breakfast. I don’t want to sit at the big table. I want the small table for two in the corner.

On our last morning, my husband and I were the last ones to breakfast. We sat at the end of the big table, alone (thank God!). Danielle, who was delightful serving us breakfast started to get chatty. Nooooooo!!!!!

To my surprise, she asked me a question that filled my soul. ‘I’ve seen you on the porch each morning with your coffee and a journal. What do you do?’

I swallowed my sip of coffee and said ‘I’m a writer.’ These words felt so good to slide off my tongue. I’ve always led with ‘I have my own small business and (if I felt like disclosing) I’m working on writing my first book’. I’ve always felt the need to prove that I had some sort of income or a job that sounded professional. I don’t make money writing at this point, so how can I say that this is my profession? This time and for the first time, I didn’t try to justify anything. I stayed true to who I am and what I love to do. ‘I’m a writer.’

I guess all small talk isn’t that bad ;)

Danielle, you’ll never know how meaningful this conversation was. Thank you. I hope you write yours some day, too.