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People assume I’m an extrovert

32 replies

hobnobsaremyfavourite · 04/11/2018 09:15

Any advice appreciated
I’m quite chatty, friendly, outgoing
My job involves a lot of person to person interaction and a lot of it is heavy duty and emotionally draining
I do like company and other people
But
I am increasingly finding that I need much more space and time on my own to recharge. I have been off work over half term including a trip away with the family
I just broke down last night as I just needed space
The place we are staying is busy and I have struggled to get some “me” time
But when I say that it makes me sound like a navel gazing selfish bitch
I should want to spend time with the dc’s and dh. I work full time so we are all back to busy normal times this week
Am I some sort of weird introvert/extrovert hybrid or just a selfish cow.
Can someone change from extrovert to introvert as they get older
Or do I just need to get a gripSad

OP posts:
Johnnyfinland · 04/11/2018 16:33

Who are these people who think needing alone time is weird and selfish? I’ve never met one. If my friends and I are talking about meeting up, and someone doesn’t feel up to it, they just say no thanks I want to chill out and relax on my own. It’s never been a problem! Of course it’s not weird or selfish to feel that way

Strugglingtodomybest · 04/11/2018 16:49

I have an hour long bath most nights! That’s my peace.

So do I @coattails! I used to feel selfish doing it because I thought we should be having 'family time', but I came to realise that we're all happier having time in the evening to do our own thing.

MrsJayy · 04/11/2018 17:31

Because imo people usually women are conditioned to think they need to be all things to everybody

Octopus37 · 04/11/2018 17:35

I can totally relate to this and am finding that I need more time alone as I am getting older, think hormones could play a part, I am 43. I fantasise about living on my own and after a difficult October with my Dad being very ill, I feel as if I just want to be on my own to recover. When I feel less low I do feel more sociable. Have always viewed being an introvert as a negative thing. Older boy had a friend over yesterday and tbh I just felt yet by and had to hide it

Witchend · 04/11/2018 17:39

I'm an introvert, but I can fake being an extrovert most of the time. I think a lot of people would not realise that I'm not an extrovert.

I need time on my own.

hobnobsaremyfavourite · 04/11/2018 17:46

Am beginning to wonder if it’s linked to hormones or whether at a certain age we stop giving a shit
I seem to have far less patience these days and see my time as precious
But I work full time and have ditched lots of other commitments due to this
These thread has been food for thought for me and how I plan and prioritise going forwards

OP posts:
BlingLoving · 04/11/2018 18:02

According to every personality test I have ever done, I am an introvert (Although not on extreme end). Except for my immediate family and dh, every single person who meets me would say I am heavily extrovert. I enjoy social situations, am chatty and very comfortable meeting new people, and work in a career.that involves constant communication (and I am very good at it).

However, what none of those people see is my need yo be left alone a lot of the time. I simply can't function if I don't get sufficient time alone. Thank God, dh gets this and happ8ly accommodates my need yo be separate from him and children (as I do for him) on a regular basis. It's normal and only a problem when that alone time becomes impossible.

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