When I was younger, my mom used to dismiss my introversion by insisting I was just “shy.”
Which, in a way, I suppose was true. But she certainly didn’t realize that my “shyness” would lead to a life of literally going out of my way to avoid interacting with other people.
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Welcome to the life of an introvert. It involves a lot of running away and hiding.
I know that sounds rude, but please hear me out: I much prefer being alone over being with other people.
Okay, that sounds even ruder.
Introverted people are more comfortable in small, quiet, controlled environments. They feel happy when they’re alone, which a lot of other people usually tend to dislike. But for us, being on our own is pretty much paradise.
Introverts also have what I like to call a “social battery.”
Just like with any other battery, ours can totally run out if it’s used for too long, and then it needs to be recharged before it gets used again.
That’s why your introverted friend might suddenly and inexplicably want to leave a party before anyone else. It’s because their social battery has lost all its juice, and they physically can’t deal with being in that environment anymore.
For me, personally, being this way means spending a lot of time sitting quietly and listening to others around me talk.
It may look like I’m on the fringe of the conversation, eager to squeeze my way in, and you may want to try to include me by throwing a joke or two my way.
But please understand: We like just listening. It’s comfortable, and it’s one way we’ve learned how to handle being in such big groups! You’re present, but there’s none of the pressure that comes with being an active participant.
But eventually it’s time to leave, and once you’re home again, you finally feel safe from the outside world.
That is, until someone comes a-knockin’ on your door and you have to drop to the floor like you’re in SEALS and shimmy-crawl your way through your own house to avoid that new person.
Not that I’ve ever done that, of course…
