Now let's clarify one thing before I get started.
Being an introvert doesn't mean you are shy or anti-social. It means you need/enjoy alone time to re-charge to be able to be your BEST self in public and social settings. Most of my life, people have fought me and tried to tell me, "You aren't an introvert, you are friendly and outgoing and fun." Yes...I can have fun in a social setting, I'm not a complete recluse, but it's because I've prepped for it for several days while hiding out at home in my pajamas, sitting in silence (over dramatization here, but I'm just proving my point). So, with that said...here is a war I face as an introvert and I'd like my fellow innies to weigh in.
I could sit and be alone in silence, or with soft music playing, for days. Literally. Sometimes it's like 4:00 in the afternoon and I've realized I haven't really talked to my son much because I've enjoyed the quiet of the day. (oops). Sometimes, when Brent gets home and starts talking, I feel like he's yelling, but I realize its because I haven't been around talking pretty much all day...and I'm okay with this.
I often go days without having much social interaction. I will leave the house and go to Starbucks, to the grocery store, go for a run, or run errands...but all of those require minimal social interaction. But I find myself giving me a pat on the back because, well, at least I got out of the house. (and got dressed).
However, with this minimal people time, I often get lost inside my own mind. I will dwell on things much too long or think myself into circles some days. As much as I love having Pandora playing all day and being able to 'recharge' in the quiet everyday, I have to admit that all this 'recharging' could be the reason I'm also going batty. So where's the line?
I find solace in quiet time to myself, but am also left too long with too loud of thoughts to stew over...where do YOU find a balance? Are any of you other innies with me on this? It's a bit of a pickle.
Erica,
ReplyDeleteI'm SO glad you posted this, reading this I'm shaking my head yes to everything you said! Sometimes I feel alone in thinking I'm "abnormal" because I truly like my alone time and majority of people I know are not like this.
Yet I find other times I feel depressed and need at least a lunch date or dinner date with someone! I like social things, but yet I love being alone if that makes any sense. I feel as I get older I find myself liking more quiet time because with 40 hours a week at work being around people and being social, I almost feel drained. Not that they talk alot, I just think it's part of being introverted. ? I'm SO glad to know I'm not alone!! Is it bad that even a phone call from someone that lasts too long (for me) can be draining and I want to have quiet time afterwards? I've had a hard time finding balance also. Thank you for being relatable! :)
I felt the same way when I was staying home with Jameson. When Steven got home after a work day, it was so weird hearing my voice sometimes. I'd talk to the baby throughout the day, but we definitely weren't having conversations, and I'd often go a few hours without saying anything (especially during naps). Now that I have been back at work, I feel like I never get that quiet, introvert time, and I miss that. Everyday is just go-go-go. The weekends seem to be the only time I am able to get some sort of balance.
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