Please Like Me [But Keep Away]

 

My conclusion after reading this Amazon Original short story by comedian/actress/writer Mindy Kaling of "The Office" fame?

This woman gets me.

At just over 20 pages, it's a breezy read, not diving particularly deep on anything, but still giving insight into her life as a socially anxious introvert in a largely extroverted industry. She offers snapshots into her catastrophizing ways (preach it sister!), her awkwardness at making new friends (I could write my own book on that), the sheer terror of having to plan any kind of social event (perish the thought!) and the general escape plan she needs to sneak out of said social events (I can case a room in 30 seconds flat for all the exits).

It's humorous, but there's also a poignancy and truth to the loneliness that social anxiety created for her and how she learned to find true, meaningful friendship with a few real friends, rather than settling for only an appearance of friendship with many. Looking into the rarified world of celebrity, it's always nice to be reminded that, at the end of the day, we're not so different.

★★★★