Earlier the Better

I'm really glad I found my humor before high school. Not a lot of people understand the divide between what is and isn't funny, or what is and isn't appropriate. I'm so happy I dealt with the awkwardness of trying to tell a joke, then restarting because I thought no one heard me, and then making eye contact while I was the only one smiling. I'm so glad I had friends who were quick to call me out when I made an insensitive joke, or pointed out when I said something I knew nothing about. I'm so glad that all happened in middle school where no one important remembers enough to bring it up.

Ugh, I can't imagine how much of a loser I'd be if I didn't know how to read social cues and descalate conversations.