It's not wrong to try new things, join new groups, meet new people, learn new skills. But in any new venture, just know: you're bringing up the caboose. You're the Eeyore of the group until you prove otherwise. And that's good! That's perfectly fine! Eeyore gets to have fun too.

So when someone's new in a group, keep the reception simple: "Appreciate you being here. Here's a seat near the back, you don't need to say anything. You aren't the guest of honor today. Probably not tomorrow, either." (6/)

And suddenly this person, who was just outside the group, thinks the ideas they're bringing to the table are better than what was already in, which is pretty damn rare. Celebrity and talent rarely cross over. Even Jordan was mid at baseball. (5/)

But that's it. Eeyore's accepted, and invited, but he's not magically celebrated for showing up. It feels like when someone joins a group from outside of it, a lot of problems come from trying to elevate them beyond a bare minimum, or shunning them for being the outsider. (4/)

Eeyore is rarely the highlight of a story, often either providing commentary or following somebody else's plan. But he's almost always invited, and people do acknowledge him. They might not listen, but they hear him. (3/)

For those too young, Eeyore is a stuffed donkey, and a prominent member of the Hundred Acre Wood. He's mopey, depressing, depressed, pessimistic, passive, and just a wet blanket. He has the exact disposition of someone with a nail in his ass. Because he does.(2/)

I've always thought about people who make big announcements of switching groups, be it those who switch political parties, those who jump into a new hobby, or those just expanding their horizons. Treat those people like Eeyore. (1/)