text; un: taka

[retsuden]

[ There has been a great deal of things that Sasuke has learned about in the few weeks he's been here just from talking to new people. All of them have been extremely confusing concepts, like therapy and the idea that people take care of children when they don't have anyone else to take care of them.

Some of these conversations where he's learned things have ended in more questions than answers. He could ask for more clarification from the few he's already made contact with, but the more possible answers he can get, the better. He thinks.

He hopes.

This could be a mistake. ]

How would you suggest someone improve their communication skills?

If your go to response is "talk to people", spare me. I'm only interested in more thorough answers.

Comments

[retsuden]

You're right. It does sound stupid.

[ But thus far, this guy hasn't really steered him wrong in providing valuable information. So he's also inclined to actually probably try it even if he's pretty sure he'll hate EVERY SECOND. ]

What if it doesn't work?

[givehead]

Most of the time learning a new skill feels stupid as hell. It would be more stupid not to try at all though.

Tell you what. Try it every night before you go to bed and then again when you wake up in the morning. Set a timer for 5 minutes. Try to fill that time. Make a chart of how long you go before losing your pacing. Visual reminders of progress can be important.

Push yourself to try longer than your worst times.

Try it for one month to see if you notice any improvements whatsoever. If there are none, then hit me up and we can talk about other approaches.

[retsuden]

[ This all sounds reasonable enough even if he's still pretty sure that every time will be a terrible time. There's just!! One issue!! ]

I don't have a mirror.

[ It will not fit in his tent. ]

[givehead]

Easy fix. I can get you one. I have like ten around my place.

(Dirk is only mildly stressed out at the idea of how this dude gets ready every morning. But also he was used to Jake doing the bare minimum of everything. Guys are a hot mess.)

[retsuden]

Why do you have so many mirrors?

[givehead]

Because I am incredibly attractive.

[retsuden]

[ ... He feels like he should have expected that somehow... ]

Wait to give me one until I have a better place to put it. Unless a travel-sized mirror will do.

[givehead]

I have a compact mirror you can use in the meantime. Might be a good idea to keep one on you so you can help amp yourself up for conversations.

[retsuden]

I have to amp myself up?

[givehead]

Might have to. I know a few in-person conversations I've had before I had to work it up. Especially important conversations that you don't want to fuck up.

[retsuden]

I see. That makes sense. I will keep this mirror in mind for that purpose at the very least, then.