Seriously, try it.
Say yes for 24 hours. I mean, don't go crazy, but definitely try something new. Last week was my birthday. I was scheduled to work 16 hours, and the only time I had to celebrate was the night before. Dierks Bentley made it to Darien Lake. I made it to Darien Lake. By the grace of God-- I made it to Darien Lake.
I had three options: sit at home feeling sorry for myself with one friend for another year in a row, take the hour of overlapping time my friends would be able to make it out for drinks/dinner, or go on a party bus without knowing a single soul. I already had the tickets (thank you Mega Ticket), I love Dierks Bentley (thank you mom and dad), and I had nothing to lose. Of course I chose the bus.
My friend and I showed up to this bus in the pouring rain with a cooler full of beer and zero expectations. What I got was so much better than I anticipated. Sure, alcohol helps ease any social anxiety, but ultimately, I spent the majority of that evening sober as hell.
I got iced, I drank about seven beers, and miraculously remained completely sober, but I made new friends. I met some girls and guys that genuinely made me laugh with their silly antics, were a trip and a half, and made sure my friend and I had a great time. We all really didn't know each other, and we all really came with the intention of just throwing the f*ck down and having a great ass f*cking time. And that we did.
So that night, when one of the girls asked me to go to the Park Ave festival, naturally I said yes. Pending the brief moment I woke up in the morning and didn't want to put the effort into getting ready, and the overwhelming fear I had about spending the day with these strangers again, I still did it. Somehow I managed to overcome that fear, to say yes to the unknown, and got my ass downtown.
I spent the day with people I genuinely enjoyed spending time with. Even if we're only going out to get drunk, who cares? Those are still people who took the time out on my birthday to make me feel special, celebrated, and to ensure that I had a good experience.
I will undoubtedly be trying this again. If you ever get the chance to say yes to some outlandish sh*t, despite the perceived consequences, just do it. Get it done. You never know what can happen. You might end up getting the first half of your 16 hour shift covered, only to work 24 hours straight instead, just for the chance to traipse across Park Avenue for a few hours. It'll be worth it, I promise.
Whether the people or the experiences you manage to snag out of the deal stay in your life or not, you've got the memories forever. Ultimately, isn't that everything?
