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I'm an Introvert

Had a rare down week this week - where I didn't have anything going in the evenings.  Say hallelujah!  It's an extremely rare occurence for me lately - like Halley's Comet rare.  And since there was a dearth of good movies on TCM, I celebrated by hanging out with my brother (who happened to be in town one day), and by catching up on some reading.  Apparently I was in quite a mood to celebrate, as I finished 4 books this week (some "lofty", and some not so much).  

 I bring this up, because one of the books I finished is one titled "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking".  And I have to say, it was most enlightening.  I now have something that explains "Me", and a name I can give it.  All those times when I get overwhelmed by too much noise or commotion, or need to have my down time, and why I sometimes prefer to stay home than go socialize.  I'm an introvert (off the charts, even), and I need my mental and emotional space so that I can be refreshed enough to get back out in to the world.


Over the years this has caused me a lot of grief, worry, and emotional distress, thinking there had to be something wrong with me and that I wasn't doing my part.  Like it wasn't normal to not want to get out and play outside, or want to work in large groups, or want to go to large social events, or stay out late at night. Now I know that there's nothing wrong me with me, it's just my emotional and mental nature to need more quiet time.

 This isn't to say that I'm using this as an excuse, or that we shouldn't strive to rise above our natures.  Just that now I can set goals for interacting that are reasonable for me, and that I don't need to feel bad if I want to do my own thing, or stay in small groups.  And I can learn to organize and prioritize so that I make sure to have my quiet time and be more grateful when I get it - I can look at it as a gift, and not a weakness.

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