If you HAD to pick between the two... full or empty...

[TheRossatron]

1. Loads of friends, big family, coupled up with kids. Every weekend is socialising. Dinner parties, christenings, weddings, hen dos abroad. Etc etc. A lot of people traffic (extroverted).

1. Distant friends you see every few months. Single. Most weekends alone, tons of solitary time, tons of space. Rather dead as far as socialising goes but peaceful (introverted).

You can't pick half of each!

That's not an example of introverts and extroverts.

The thought of 1 makes me feel ill.
Im perfectly happy pottering in my greenhouse 🌿🌷🌻

True.
Im a sociable introvet.
So a bit of socialising is great but then I love time alone and need it to recharge

I'm an extrovert. So the first one

1, although I veer towards introverted. 1 is a much more balanced life - the socialising is generally only at weekends according to OP, so 5 days to recharge each week. 2 is a fairly reclusive existence, and IMO further away from the "norm" than 1 is.

If 1 was socialising daily, with never a break at all, then I'd probably pick 2, but in that instance neither would really make me happy, as I'd prefer a balance.

I agree. The terms are very misunderstood/misapplied.

1 without a doubt.

ive lived like this and loved it.
im currently living like 2 and hate it.

What I’d say (which isnt in the OP) is that 1 requires you to have strong boundaries (eg say ‘Nope. Not this weekend. I’m shattered and need to sleep’).
I think it’s also harder with young dcs in tow.

Btw I don’t think it’s about being an introvert or an extrovert.
if anything I’m much more of an introvert. You won’t hear a lot from me in a big group. But I still love the buzz from going to places, seeing people and simply having fun.

This also implies of curse that you get on very well with either family or friends you are going out with….

2
I would HATE 1

It's funny that people are picking something that is basically the definition of introvert/extrovert but saying they are not that archetype, or saying that they don't fit the definitions - how would you define introvert/extrovert? They seem to fit quite well for me.

Whenever I have a myers briggs assessment I come out as a really strong extrovert, but number 1 would stress me out as I'd feel like I never got a proper break/downtime from (quite stressful) work. So on balance, guess I would have to go with 2?

mrsm43s Are you assuming neither person has a job?

It's impossible to say. I'm A and my husband is B which is not an issue at all when you are both working and have kids but it's a pain in the arse when you both retire.

You've been warned....😅

Option one. At the moment I'm a mix of both. I wish I had more social life but I don't

On the basis of the information given, and that the information given was a description of all social interactions, I'm assuming that neither scenario includes significant social interaction from a job, otherwise it would surely have been mentioned as a major factor in the OP as it would be so relevant.

Option 2 - but does this scenario assume that you have a job you can go out to do, optional activities like Church etc that you can join in as you wish?

I don't like 'socialising' for the sake of 'socialising' but I do enjoy quiet activities with one or two friends such as doing a volunteering role or similar occasionally - ie; once a week.

Perfectly happy to spend evenings, days off work, weekends etc totally on my own. In fact I have a day off today and although I could arrange to meet up with friends, family etc I prefer to go off on my own and do exactly what I want.

1. Sounds perfect. Number 1 is hell.

Option 1 but I still need time for me, that is sound mental health to look after yourself and have self care.

Option 1- especially after the last few years. Also I'm sick of being in option 2. However I'm not sure how long I could do option 1 without my mental health being affected

I think it's very obvious that option 1 is a character who is extroverted and option 2 is a character who is introverted. I would say it's safe to assume that option 1 is probably someone who can tolerate noise, probably likes it when the phone rings, looks forward to group holidays (I don't know why because I don't even watch her on TV but for some reason I always think of Billie Faiers as a perfect example!!) They unwind by enjoying other people.

I am option 2. I absolutely HATE people phoning me for inane "catch up" conversation, I need notice before a night out so I can prepare myself and whilst I enjoy it I also enjoy being hungover alone, I would only want to go on a holiday with another person if it was a partner I was in love with. On a Saturday afternoon you'll find me walking alone in a forest not sat at a baby shower etc etc. I have to be completely alone to recharge.

I just wanted to know how many people are like me really. The two different lifestyle choices are perfect examples of intro / extro. I haven't included job or career aspects as many of us have to slap on a temporary personality for this and it's a necessity rather than a lifestyle choice.

Option 1 because I can always cancel some functions and have time by myself, option 2 sounds a bit too lonely for me, I love time alone but the second option is a bit too far!

DH is option 2 and I do find it a bit frustrating - I want to go out socialising with him but he doesn't want to most of the time. But he's perfectly happy for me to go out.

I think 1 is quite an expensive lifestyle though - cost is one thing preventing me from being as 1 as I would like to.

In the general population apparently there are 2-3 extraverts for every 1 introvert.

On online forums like mumsnet you tend to find a higher concentration of introverts than in the general population.

My gut was to prefer 1 but 2 is my actual life (more by choice than anything)

If your time is taken up with lots of socialising, how do you get anything else done??? House-cleaning, work, pet-care, kid chauffering, errands, volunteering, sleep... I'm very busy with all that stuff !

Hey! 😊Definitely option 2 for me, I need to prepare myself for big group events and can handle my own company for a few days at least

I overthink a lot so being surrounded by people would make me a little anxious!