January 2 is World Introvert Day. Why January 2? Because it marks the end of the holiday season, when all the parties, festivities, expectations, and endless pressure to participate finally end and the world — or at least its introverts — can finally take a deep breath and relax. It’s when we introverts can stop making excuses, avoiding people, and being accused of (or at least thought of as) being antisocial killjoys, party poopers, wet blankets, or just plain weird.
I know whereof I speak because I are one. Introvert, that is. Yes, you are a very nice person but I don’t want to come to your party where all those other very nice people will be.
I’ve heard that Greta Garbo once said, with an exhausted, heavily accented voice, “I vant to be alone.” I get that.
That’s me, as anyone who’s been around here very often already knows. I enjoyed my work as an editor because I could and did work alone. I enjoy my retirement as a divorced woman, not having to deal with another human being all day. My house, my rules, my schedule. Peace and quiet. No arguments or disagreements. (Gad, that makes me sound so self-centered!) I do have some serious talks with the resident dog and cat, but they never disagree with me.
January 2 is also a good day because for a little over a week the days have been getting longer. No more 4:30 sunsets! More sun!! (At the very least that means it will be easier to schedule appointments because I won’t have to worry about getting stuck driving after dark. I need to be off the road when headlights start coming on.)
No doctor has ever told me I have SAD, but I think it’s at work on some level. Mostly I think it’s the holidays all jammed together and overlapping and full of expectations and pressures and starting … when? … September? October?
It’ll probably be the Fourth of July next year.
_______________
Illustration AI generated
I really get every word of this. I do love people, especially in small doses, and then it’s time for my Irish goodbye-
I’m not anti people but I certainly prefer solitude to small talk with a bunch of people I don’t know. I’m from a large family and even “just family” can be overwhelming.
I’m also an introvert. One of my proclivities is procrastination. If I have a list of things to do, my natural tendency is to knock off a few easy ones first, but many years ago I recognized this and decided I would do the hardest things first. My nature hasn’t changed but I know it’s the best thing to do and I usually do it. You might even call it a renewable resolution (referencing your previous post).
Oh I’m a horrible procrastinator. I live alone, so there’s no one around to care if or when I do something. (Well, Charlie does make sure he gets fed on time.) Unavoidable appointments, which I keep to a minimum, involve other people, so I can’t really fudge on them.
This certainly resonates with me. My husband used to say that the difference between extroverts and introverts can be seen at parties. Extroverts want the party to go on and on, but introverts want to go home and recuperate from the exhaustion the party creates. Yes, he’s the extrovert, and I’m the introvert. ~Nan
I get that. Whether or not I went with anyone, I’m always the first one wanting to leave. At any gathering, I spend most of my time wanting to leave.
No introvert here, at least not in the same sense. I’m comfortable around people, but, given the choice, I rather be at home.
One difference, I like being with Melisa. I don’t think we’ve been apart more than a handful of days in the past 49 years, nor more than a few hours on any given day (and those are rare).
I assume that’s an AI generated graphic given the pose and unnaturally balanced and sized cup of beverage . . . I want to see the next moment, when she tries to get that cup. But, I get the sentiment, although she doesn’t look especially content about being alone. More like, “Now, where did that pool boy get to?”
I could be wrong.
I did note the illustration was AI generated, but it figures you’d spot it immediately anyway, given all your AI experience. And now that I’ve looked again, I’m wondering who balances a vase of flowers on the back of a couch!?
Oh well, I was shooting for the overall mood and this felt about right.
Yep, me too. Introvert.
What is Disperser seeing that I’m not ? – “unnaturally balanced and sized cup of beverage” – I don’t have that on my screen.
Had me puzzled at first too. It got cropped out of the picture above. You have to look at the picture on the front page, which is cropped differently. AI still has a lot to learn.
Ah. :\
Yes, thank goodness the holidays are over, my least favorite time of the year. Now I can get back to solitude.
Ah, a kindred spirit!