So I've been meaning to ask — what made you want to try the place they suggested? I'm always curious how people pick restaurants.
Honestly? Scrolled past it a few times. The photos looked real, not overstuffed with garnish. And they had good reviews that actually mentioned the food instead of just the vibe.
That's a really solid approach. I hate when reviews are just "cute aesthetic!!1" and tell you nothing about whether the food is actually good. Have you found a lot of places that way, or is this more of a recent thing?
Recent, mostly. Used to just go wherever friends dragged me. But I got tired of mediocre meals, so I started actually looking. It's weird how much better things get when you put in even a little effort.
I get that. There's something about making your own choices instead of just defaulting to whatever's convenient. Did your friends give you a hard time when you started being pickier, or were they cool about it?
Nah, they were fine with it. Honestly I think they preferred it — less complaining about food. Though one friend definitely gives me shit for checking reviews before we go anywhere. Says I'm overthinking it.
aphorism
The difference between drifting and living is the difference between accepting the first open door and choosing which one to walk through. Small acts of intention—reading a review, picking a place yourself—reshape everything that follows. Your friends will adjust. The food will taste better. And the person you become by deciding, rather than defaulting, becomes someone worth being.