Easier Talking to Strangers

Why is it sometimes easier to talk to a stranger? I’ve been reading “Once Upon a Stranger” by Dr Gillian Sandstrom and she mentions the idea of psychological distance and it offers an interesting perspective. Sometimes, we find it easier to share our thoughts with someone we don’t know or don’t know well. Numerous articles have also been written about the fact that strangers, or people who aren’t close to us, don’t know our history and are thereby able to provide us with a clean slate.

The Fine Line

For those of us who like to plan, organize, and stay ahead of things, it can be frustrating to watch others work right up to the deadline. I remember golfing with a group where one friend was always late. We would arrive at the agreed time and she’d just be starting breakfast. Eventually, we adjusted. Not out of frustration, but because we needed to keep moving.

What Happens After the Conversation?

When layoffs are announced, there is often a shared sense of shock, anger, fear, and deep concern about what comes next. The immediate response is to act - update your resumé, search job postings and call friends who might know of companies hiring. Do something – anything, to regain a sense of control.

And that can help, at least at first. It gives you something to hold onto.
But your life and your future are not the same as everyone else’s. What feels like a collective experience is, in reality, deeply personal.

Finding Your Mentor

In a mentoring relationship, you have the opportunity to get to know the person you’ll be working with either through a brief introductory conversation, or at the beginning of your first meeting. A mentor doesn’t follow a single path or checklist, so you may find yourself wondering what matters most. Is it their background? Their experience? Their perspective on life? What matters most is how you feel in the conversation. Do you feel heard? Comfortable? At ease enough to speak openly?

Why Thinking Out Loud Matters

Talking to ourselves is a natural response to what happens in our lives - whether it’s good, bad, happy, or difficult. We replay moments. Turn things over. Try to make sense of them. Sometimes we resolve them. And sometimes, we don’t. Speaking out loud or sharing our thoughts with someone else can shift that process in a meaningful way.