What I Want You to Feel When We First Meet

What’s the first impression you want to give people?

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The first time I meet someone, I imagine a tiny invisible camera floating above us—capturing the micro-expressions, the awkward pauses, the hopeful smiles, and the subtle dance of two strangers trying to figure each other out.
And every time, without fail, I silently whisper to myself:

“Let them see the real warmth. Not the rushed version of me.”

I still remember one rainy day outside a crowded café. I was in a hurry, balancing a half-open umbrella, a notebook, and a rather dramatic number of to-do lists. As I walked in, a woman bumped into me and coffee splashed on my wrist. For a split second, my brain was ready to launch into irritation mode. But instead, I laughed—because honestly, the whole moment felt like a badly edited rom-com scene.

She laughed too. We apologized at the same time.
And she said something that stuck with me:

“You seem… calm. Not many people laugh when things go wrong.”

Calm.
Warm.
Easy to talk to.
That’s the impression I wish I gave every time.

But life isn’t always perfectly staged. Some days I’m distracted. Some days I’m tired. Some days the coffee spills and I don’t laugh. So I’ve learned that first impressions are not about being perfect—they’re about being honest in the moment.

Now, I aim for this simple trio:

1. Warmth

The kind that feels like sunlight on a cold morning—not overly bright, not overwhelming, but quietly comforting.

2. Attentiveness

Looking up from the whirlwind of life long enough to really see the person in front of me.

3. Openness

Not the spill-your-entire-heart kind, but the “I’m safe to talk to” kind.

Because the truth is, the first impression I want to give isn’t about impressing at all.
It’s about making someone feel like they matter—right from the very first hello.

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