This happens all over the Midwest. These seemingly inconsequential micro interactions, for me, matter a lot for my mental health (and I’m deeply introverted).

This happens all over the Midwest. These seemingly inconsequential micro interactions, for me, matter a lot for my mental health (and I’m deeply introverted). I don’t care to chitchat with everyone but simply acknowledging people I come across every day with a nod or a hello makes a difference in my mood. These little interactions situate me in society and reminds me of my humanity. People from the US South love small talk and I do too but the extent to which it is done in the south can be a bit much for some introverts (I personally don’t mind — I’m an aspiring conversationalist). Midwestern folks seem to strike the right balance between respecting someone’s privacy and making small talk with them. NPRs hidden brain covered how micro interactions reduce loneliness. https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/relationships-2-0-the-power-of-tiny-interactions/ https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/relationships-2-0-the-power-...