Life as an Introvert (And Why I Think You’re One Too!)
Hey folks! Today is Day 2 of the Mini Blog Challenge with Joi at RxFitnessLady. Today’s prompt is “Controversial Post.” I’m not sure if this is really that controversial but I’m hoping it does spark some conversation. Here goes nothing!
I like to go out with friends. I also don’t like to go out with friends. Stick with me for a second here. See I love seeing my friends but I can only take it for short period of times. Not because I don’t like my friends (I do!) but I get tired. There was one weekend a few months back where I had dinner plans with friends on Friday night, brunch on Saturday and a party on Saturday night. I had a mini meltdown. Not because I didn’t want to see all of these people (I did!) but it was just too much.
Maybe I just plan too many activities, you might say. Well, that could be true but let me give you another situation. Last fall I participated in Sweaty Saturday, a charity event. I went to four(!) fitness classes in one day. In between classes I did doc review for work. At the end of the day I was exhausted but happy. I had spent the entire day alone. The thing is . . . I’m an introvert.
I know, I know. You’ve heard it all before. There are so many bloggers out there who are self-proclaimed introverts. You’ve probably read this post before on someone else’s blog. This leads me to my second point: if you’re a blogger, I bet you’re an introvert too! It seems to me that so many bloggers I read or meet aren’t shy to volunteer that they are introverted. WHY?? (Disclaimer: It’s totally ok if you are a blogger and you are the biggest extrovert EVER! I making some generalizations with this post.)
Well, the thing with blogging is that it’s made up of words and photos. It’s a conversation but only in the virtual sense. There is a clear beginning and a clear end. It can be done in your PJs and no one is the wiser. Social interaction can be welcomed or limited based completely upon the blogger’s preference (is the laptop open or shut? Smartphone on or off?). Expressing ourselves in words is much easier than making actual contact because when we’ve had enough, we can simply sign off.
This is not to say that introverts are shy people that don’t like social contact. On the contrary, introverts like people we just don’t need to be around a lot of people, all at once for long periods of time. We like to process things, have alone time and think. Blogging= lots of alone time to process and think.
My non-blogging, extroverted acquaintances don’t always get this. They sometimes think I’m a little strange for choosing to go home after work and blog over post-work drinks. It’s hard to explain that I’ve just spend eight-plus hours out in public around other people, I need alone time stat! But really, I need to recharge for tomorrow. Besides, I’m much more enjoyable to be around when I do feel recharged and am ready for social interaction!
So can introverts get along with extroverts? I like to think the answer to this question is a resounding “yes”! The Hubs is an extrovert. Full-fledged, all caps extrovert. He loves being around people! But he gets that sometimes, I don’t. It works because of a mutual respect. He understands that sometimes, we need to just watch a movie on the couch together. I understand that an entire weekend just the two of us is generally not going to cut it.
So all of this is to say that I really, really like people but sometimes, I just don’t want to be around people. I love doing my own thing, which includes blogging. I also love connecting with other people on blogs because it’s a social activity where I dictate the terms and conditions.
Readers, are you an introvert or an extrovert? Are you a blogger or not? Do you know anyone who you suspect is an introvert?