Why I Started Saying Yes to Strangers?

I was always the cautious type, the kind of person who politely declines small talk with strangers and keeps earbuds in on the subway. It wasn’t that I didn’t like people—I just felt safer sticking to my circle, my routine, and my familiar places. But recently, something changed, pushing me to step out of my comfort zone and start saying "yes" to the strangers I would have normally brushed off.

It all started when I was waiting for the bus one chilly morning. I was wrapped up in my thoughts, barely noticing the people around me, when an elderly man beside me made a simple comment about the cold. I almost nodded and looked away, but for some reason, I decided to engage. “It’s getting colder every day, isn’t it?” I replied, forcing myself to smile. His face lit up, and we ended up chatting about winter, family, and even his dog, who hated the snow. The conversation was brief and ordinary, but it left me unexpectedly cheerful.

After that day, I began wondering what might happen if I tried opening up more often. I decided to test it out with a little personal rule: for the next week, I’d say yes to any harmless interaction initiated by a stranger. And it turned out to be the start of something I couldn’t have imagined.

One of my first “yes” moments came at a café. I was reading by myself when a group of travelers asked if they could join my table since it was the only one with extra seats. Normally, I would have said, “Sure,” but kept my head down in my book. This time, I put the book away and listened to their stories. They were backpacking across the country, and their tales of adventure, mishaps, and hidden gems were infectious. By the end of our coffee break, they had invited me to join them for a walk around the city. I agreed, and we spent hours exploring, laughing, and taking in sights I hadn’t appreciated in years. That one yes turned a regular day into a mini-adventure, and I felt the thrill of spontaneity I hadn’t experienced since I was a kid.

Another time, I was walking home when I heard someone struggling to get their grocery bags out of the car. A young mom, juggling bags and a toddler, looked overwhelmed. Normally, I would have hesitated, worried she might feel uncomfortable with my help. But I remembered my new commitment and offered to lend a hand. She looked relieved and grateful, and as we walked, she shared a little about her day and her baby’s antics. It was just a few minutes out of my day, but it felt good knowing that my small gesture had made hers a bit easier.

Perhaps the most surprising interaction happened during my commute. I was waiting for the train when a man holding a sign approached, offering free poetry readings. Ordinarily, I would have assumed he was looking for donations or trying to sell something. But, as part of my yes experiment, I let him read to me. His words were simple, beautiful, and resonated in a way I hadn’t expected. He handed me a handwritten poem at the end, wishing me a joyful day. That little slip of paper with his words now sits on my desk, reminding me that beauty can come from the most unexpected sources.

This experiment taught me that connecting with strangers isn’t just about filling time or making small talk. It’s about allowing yourself to experience the world through other people’s stories, perspectives, and little moments of generosity. These strangers each had a life, a story, and, in their own way, they invited me to be a part of it, even if just for a few minutes.

Now, months later, I find myself far more open to these chance interactions. I say yes because each encounter is an opportunity to see something new, to shift my perspective, and to remind myself that the world is so much bigger than my small routines. By saying yes, I’ve welcomed adventure, warmth, and unpredictability into my life.

So, if you ever feel like life’s gotten a bit too routine or closed off, try saying yes to a stranger. You never know—it might lead you to something beautiful.