I’m not sure if this is age related or maybe symptomatic of other aspects of my life.
I’m not really sure exactly what I’m going to describe but hoping that someone out there can help me understand this or identify with this.
Im in my late 40s, married with two children and have a fairly senior role is a sales related industry.
When I was in my 20s and 30s I had a very sociable life: weekends and holidays away with big groups, nights out, part of lots of social circles and also had several close one to one friendships. I was also very close to my colleagues in both a work and social sense.
I find the in the last few years I have really lost the desire for socialising. I feel like I am quite “skilled” at it, probably mainly due to my job which requires corporate hospitality, making connections with people and always being quite high energy, engaging and generally “good company”.
i am at the point that I find it hard to even what’s app my friends. I can’t explain this really as I know it only takes a minute to do but it feels so much and like a big task. I have just turned down the opportunity to go away for a weekend for a close friends birthday because I feel like I wouldn’t enjoy the company and strangely feel as if I could t cope or manage with such a prolonged period with other people. I have also turned down other smaller invites because I just don’t want to socialize.
I sometimes feel a bit resentful in social situations as I feel like I have to do a lot of “heavy lifting” in term of keeping conversations going, making sure everyone is included and generally being being the question asker, if that makes sense.
As a child, I had quite a difficult upbringing and felt safety in being one of a crowd and part of other people’s families, so I don’t know if this is related.
Im not really sure what I’m asking or saying- sorry. I just really wanted to “say” it out loud and see if anyone out there had similar thoughts they wouldn’t mind sharing.