I just wanted some time on my own - am I odd?

[Myownself]

I was working away with some colleagues in a different part of the country recently. I spent 3 evenings with them, we went for dinner. I am an introvert so needed some time to recharge, so told them on the fourth night I was going to do my own thing - I went for a lovely facial, nice stroll and read my book, got room service. I knew by their reaction that they thought this was a bit odd, but this is just the way I am and had enough, after spending all day working with them also. I'm someone who needs time on my own every so often - but do people consider this odd?

It’s not odd to me, I don’t particularly like having to spend a lot of time with people whom I haven’t ‘chosen’. You stuck it out for three nights, it’s fine to have a night off.

It sounds lovely, actually.

I’m a very sociable person and don’t find that odd at all - it sounds lovely!

Sounds like you had a lovely evening. Don't worry about what others think of you

I bet at least one of them was jealous!

I count a quiet room service dinner as one of the major perks of business travel. I’d have been people-d out too after three nights.

Not odd at all but I’ve had the same reaction! Some people like to huddle together like sheep and get offended if you need space.

Sounds ideal and perfectly normal to me, and to be honest, 2 meals would have been more than enough for me!

Good to hear I'm not all that odd so! I was all peopled out and get drained when this happens. I'm not someone who needs people around them constantly - in fact, I feel suffocated.

Perfect. I hope you enjoyed your well deserved alone time.

Fellow introvert here. I travel a lot for work and although it's nice to have company for dinner, I never join colleagues for drinks afterwards. I much prefer to head back to my room to chill out with a book or crappy TV. Work trips can be really intense and that downtime is essential. So no, I see absolutely nothing wrong with what you did! Some people just can't understand it though.

Sounds like heaven! I definitely need some me time, went on a course recently, ensured I had at least an hour in hotel room before going out for dinner and one evening did similar to you, had a full evening in hotel room. No one batted an eyelid!

Sounds perfect, I absolutely need time out in order to function and recharge.

I wouldn't even of managed a second night let alone a third. You're not odd at all! Sounds like heaven.

Sounds fabulous. Not odd at all! I had 2 nights away from home with work colleagues recently. I spent evening 1 with them but made it clear that evening 2 I'd be doing my own thing. I don't know if they thought that was odd or not but I needed some time to myself.

Not odd at all, I would have perhaps had one dinner with them myself in the same situation, 3 dinners is more than enough.
I think it is a great advantage to like your own company.

It's not odd at all, I would have done exactly the same, in fact I wouldn't have lasted 3 nights! What I do find is some people who aren't like that just don't understand the need to be alone and recharge, I guess their minds just work differently, neither are right or wrong.

The only difference I'd suggest in future is to be clear up front that you will do your own thing on x evenings.

Let them be prepared and discuss as a team how to handle 'leisure time'.

I've had introverts happy with one mid-tour night off, or John's g just pre dinner drinks then going off every night.

Set out your needs and work out a plan that works for everyone

I'd be the same. When I was younger I found some people thought it odd but maybe cos I'm very sociable and outgoing and they couldn't marry the two. I've learned to tell people that I plan to keep to myself tomorrow etc as in the past I would just drift off and it was misinterpreted a bit. Once I was open about my need for solitude it has always been respected

Not at all odd, even with my DH and own family I need time and space to myself, on holiday recently and my DH wanted to go to a particular event one evening, I had no interest in it at all so he went alone and I did my own thing .. one or two friends were 'surprised' but a lovely, solo evening was just perfect for me.

Not odd at all. I can be similar, and my friends know to expect me to disappear on holiday.

Today I'm looking at going away for a couple of days on my own. That will seem odd to some, but it's not my problem.

Sounds lovely and not on the slightest bit odd

I'd have loved to do the same. I'm not particularly introverted, but by golly I find some people's constant presence really draining, and I need time on my own to recharge the batteries.

Good advice, thanks. I used to wonder if there was something wrong with me but good to hear I'm not alone.