Stabby stab stab.
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Yes. I recently moved to California away from all my family and friends, and have struggled to develop any relationships of significance with the people I work with. On my weekends I come home, play some WoW or other video games, or spend some time writing, usually watching a movie or tv show at the time. A lot of the people who I work with don't really invite me out to anything, and when they do I usually turn it down anyway. Used to love drinking, but have had issues with it recently so would rather just stay away from the heavy drinking / partying scene anyways. Honestly the only thing I wish I had some friends out here for is so I can go to ballgames or local amusement parks. Other than that, I'm perfectly happy being by myself, occasionally visiting my friends and family, and for the most part just spending some time focusing on me.
Than you're changing the dynamics of the situation in order to protect your interests. If you do not believe that introverts are healthy because they have to recharge by being away, than by the scenario you have depicted extroverts recharge by being with people (using recharge in a vague sense, of course).
Saying that introverts must spend time away from others to be happy is about as inaccurate as me saying extroverts base their concept of self worth according to their respective social circles. In most situations, its a matter of preference, not need.
When you get tired from playing football, don't you need to rest/"recharge"?
Same thing for me, being around people is exahusting for me. I don't get tired if I spend 10 mins around people, no, that's not the case, no introvert gets tired that fast unless they have health problems but that also applies to extroverts. I do get tired after like 1 hour or 2 hours after being around people, that makes me exhausted.
I was mainly talking about introverts needing to recharge, but yes, some extroverts actually get exhausted too when they are lonely, it can happen.
---------- Post added 2012-11-13 at 04:25 PM ----------
Well, it's not an abnormality, you shouldn't think it is.
How do you know how much energy I spend while being around others? how do you know that I don't spend more energy being around people than playing football?
You don't, that's why I'm saying to that it's perfectly normal if an introvert gets tired of being around people.
Sort of. During weekdays I usually prefer to spend my time alone or with my family.
But during the weekend I want to socialize. And I do, I get along with lots of people when I'm out drinking.
I just wish I had friends that could come along with me, now I usually have to go drink by myself and just hope I come across people I know.
My best friend doesn't want to go/never has time to go with me because he lives together with his soon to be wife. He's pretty tied down.
And the worst part is that he looks down on my heavy drinking. But he doesn't realize that it's one of the few things that I really enjoy doing.
Anyway, yeah I get along with lots of people. But I prefer my space during the week so I'm not sure if I could call those people friends or just good acquaintances. Whenever someone asks me if I want to do something together during the week, I usually say yes because I want to stay 'friends'. But most of the time I do feel pressured to go instead of actually wanting to.
Yeah, I guess I'm a little weird and perhaps my personality contradicts itself. I want to get along with people but I also prefer my space. It's tough.
LOL!! Sorry, but this.
I don't want to spend 2 or 3 hours a day feeling compelled to comment on peoples' Facebook updates, nor do I want my gaming or TV shows or chores or whatever else I'm doing interrupted by someone calling or texting the crap out of me because they're having a crisis of some sort. Many social situations (parties, picnics, etc.) just seem fake to me so I don't enjoy them, and when I'm forced into something I just suffer through it and leave at the first opportunity. I also hate stupid people. Sooo... I'm married, my husband is my best friend, I have family that I can talk to and co-workers that keep me entertained during work hours. That's plenty.
Last edited by Dawnseven; 2012-11-13 at 04:40 PM.
When I'm alone (excluding family) for more than a day(ish) I feel a bit.. well, depressed or something. So no, I wouldnt say I'm a loner.
Edit: And that while im 'somewhat' shy and introvert.
You don't have to spend physical energy to get tired. You can also get psychologically tired, sometimes that's more tiring than physical energy spending, you know? Depression is an example of this.
I might not be explain this well, if I'm not, just say so and I'll stop posting because I don't want you to get the wrong ideas from me.
Also this. ^
I don't believe I said anything to that effect. Both my current internship and my future profession require continuous interpersonal communication and contact, and if I was unable to bring myself to speak to people I would have never made it out of St Petersburg and to the US. That said, I do prefer my own company to that of others, and routinely avoid quite a few forms of social endeavors, and my preferences clearly label me as an introvert.
---------- Post added 2012-11-13 at 05:44 PM ----------
http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...e-brain-need-s
The brain consumes more energy than any other part of the body. Its why going without sleep has such a drastic effect, to oversimplify it.