I just had a lovely conversation with a stranger. She was talking to me about some birch trees that were recently cut down that she had planted herself years ago.

I think while we need to be cautious to an extent, we need to engage with others more. The best apartments I've lived in were the ones where I knew my neighbors and create community with them.

This woman and I chatted a little, and then both happened to be grabbing coffee, so we ended up chatting some more, she was going through rough times and a little lonely, but we traded stories and had such a nice time even if it was only 20 minutes or so. I'm so glad she sparked a conversation with me, and she gave me a bright spot in an otherwise bad day.

Say hi to a neighbor or a stranger. Many people are actually very nice.