— By Sarah E. Miller

When I moved to Seattle 10 years ago, I was warned: “People here are friendly but distant.” Or, “flaky and noncommittal.”

Frankly, I welcomed it. It was a sweet release of being an introvert. I wanted to buy food without a long conversation at the cash register. I wanted to avoid messy, complicated and confusing friendships. I didn’t want to be accountable for someone else. I was in my early 20s for chrissakes — I could barely take care of myself.

Then the malaise of the classic Seattle depression settled in. I realized that taking Vitamin D did only so much for my social calendar. The lack of social stimulation inked its way into my heart. The two friends I did make (one from work, the other my old roommate) and I cancelled on each other so frequently and effortlessly, we went months without seeing each other. I started to close inward. I frantically chatted up cashiers as they looked off into the distance.

I finally recognized the “Seattle Freeze” was something real and substantial. How does one get out of this giant ice cube we’ve frozen ourselves into?

» Go here to read four things I know about the Seattle Freeze, and four ways to get out of it. Some highlights:

THE FREEZE IN ACTION: You’ve probably asked, “So, what are you doing over the weekend?” and in that millisecond of silence, you know they’re thinking of ways for you not to be invited. It’s not that they don’t like you — they just don’t know you. And they don’t particularly think they should know you, because who has the time, right?

ON CHICKENING OUT: We click “Interested” on a wide variety of events and decide to watch a Netflix series instead. The weeks move forward and we end up chickening out on all of these interesting events and end up not doing anything. Anxiety and depression sucks, but as we know, the lack of social interaction makes us feel gross too. So, try and do something, sometimes (even alone!).

ONE WAY TO DEFROST: We put in our earphones and type on our computers like we know what we’re doing, but we are just a bunch of lonely meat piles trying to figure this human thing out. … Joining a club or volunteering somewhere relevant is a glorious first step in coming out of your sad cocoon. Clubs are literally made for lonely people.

FRIENDSHIP IS HARD: Making actual human connections with humans who put up many barriers isn’t an overnight success. The most important part of this — before that gloom overwhelms you — is that you must keep trying! Once you crack a smile across the coffee shop a few hundred times, make an intentional effort over and over again, you will melt that Seattle frost.

Sarah E. Miller is a freelance writer, dabbler, collaborator, and an occasionally funny lady. She spends her time battling the Seattle Freeze monster (in the city and within herself), and dreaming up big, impractical, very shiny ideas. Experienced something in Seattle you want to write about? Hit reply with your idea or email [email protected].

‘The good kind of Seattle freeze.’ It’s Free Slurpee Day at 7-Elevens everywhere. There are 45 of ‘em in Seattle, and here’s where you can find the chilly, syrupy treat near you. Not up for waiting in those lines? Here are 15 places you can sip fancy, locally made slushies in Seattle, and 26 boozy versions to try. (The Stranger, FourSquare)

#SendSegura. The Mariners really want you to help get infielder Jean Segura to the All-Star game next Tuesday. The campaign’s taken over their Twitter and transformed their ballpark (😉). And why not? Jean is so close to beating his competitor in a nationwide vote, and the Mariners are on a roll this year. Want to add your +1? Cast your vote by 1 p.m. today. (Mariners)

Lock up your guns. Or it’ll cost you. Our city council just passed a law requiring gun owners to lock up their guns when they’re not using them or pay some big fines: $500 when a gun isn’t locked up, $1,000 when someone who isn’t supposed to have your gun has it, and as much as $10,000 when someone who isn’t supposed to have your gun uses it to commit a crime. How many of our state’s gun owners are already keeping their gear locked up and unloaded? Just 36 percent, according to one study. And at least 250 guns were stolen in Seattle in 2016. 🔒 (The Seattle Times)

‘Who would we be without the Latino population?’ Coming soon to a neighborhood near you: our state’s first major museum of Latino history. The Sea Mar Museum of Chicano/a Latino/a Culture is set to open next year in Glendale, a neighborhood in South Seattle. Vamos. (The Seattle Globalist)

DON’T FORGET TO PUT US TO WORK

We’re taking your votes on which of your questions about homelessness you’d like us to investigate, and you’ve got until 10 a.m. today to make your pick. Already chimed in? Head over to GeekWire, which put a different (and fantastic) set of your questions up for a vote.

See you tomorrow. — The Evergrey