to be perfectly happy in my own company?

[Stinklebell]

because apparently it's "weird"

I'm not madly extrovert, not a hermit either, but I am perfectly happy pottering around by myself.

I work part time from home, and I've just had a very nice couple of hours with Sky+ and my ironing pile

DH is the opposite, loves company, always organising get togethers and nights out - even stuff like a Saturday night takeaway turns into a mad social gathering and sometimes I just find it a bit too much.

My DH went away with our kids a couple of weeks ago, and a friend was all "oh, you can't stay home on your own, I'll be over Friday with some wine, we'll go shopping Saturday then we'll go out Saturday night". It was lovely of her, but she didn't quite get that actually, I am just fine tootling around alone. I like mooching around the shops on my own, I like chilling out with a film or something on my own. I don't want to stand outside the school gates for an hour every morning chatting, or go somewhere for coffee or meet up for lunch every day

I don't mind friends over, I don't mind meeting friends for a coffee, I just don't want to do it all the time. I like my own space, I like my own company, I'm not bored or lonely, I just don't want to be surrounded by people all the time.

It's not unreasonable, right?

Being alone is bliss.

But I need it contained by the hustle of family life and socialising.

I feel happiest when I can dip in and out of things, back to quiet.

Out of curiosity....given the choice where do you prefer to sit in a restaurant or bar?

Well clearly you're not that weird as there's lots of us. I personally think it's weird to constantly need company, most people I know seem to fall into that category, it's almost like they're scared to be alone with their own thoughts and have to fill every minute of their day.
I like my own company so much I can't ever see myself sharing my home with another adult.
I wouldn't say I was introvert, I do like socialising occasionally but I spend all day talking in my job and I cherish peaceful evenings when ds is in bed.
The comments are irritating though, my SIL recently said she wished I would find a nice man to settle down with . I simply said that's nice, I don't though because I'm blissfully happy on my own. I'm sure people don't believe that but it's just because they are needy don't understand how to be happy by theirselves.

It's totally natural and normal to be an introvert, just as much as it's natural and normal to be an extrovert. The current trend is towards extroversion but at other times in history, introversion, reflectiveness, thoughtfulness and quiet were more highly thought of.

Extroverts gain energy from being around others and find it helpful to think by talking/discussing, whereas introverts recharge by having time to themselves and they think quietly.

I too am like this..... But I think I apologise for myself somehow, or criticise myself. Like the poster who said that people have criticised them, I've had people say 'oh another boring night in then?' and so on.

Sometimes I have an event in the diary which makes me feel more social, and I then enjoy being alone knowing there is something coming up, but them I don't want to go to it.....it's then that I feel a social misfit.....

The only misfits are the ones who criticise other people for their natural personalities

"Introvert" or "extrovert" are just facts about how people are made, just as hair colours and various other things about us differ along a scale.

I've heard a great definition of the difference between introverts and extroverts.

Introverts spend energy while being around other people.

Extroverts feed off the energy of other people.

I seem to be both depending on my mood

barleywood I prefer to sit in a corner or near a wall. I would feel a bit unsettled right in the middle of the room.

barleywood. I'd rather sit in the corner, or at the side. Not in the middle. Ever

needastrongone. Maybe .

phonebox I like that definition too. I do really actively enjoy bustling around with lots of other people but I often feel physically and mentally drained afterwards and need time alone to 'recharge'.

Am a bit worried about having DCs as the thought of having another person around me all the time is a bit scary. At least DH is independent!

I'm another introvert. I didn't understand myself for a long time and used to try and be more extrovert. I've definetly become more comfortable with being an introvert as I've got older.

My ds is an introvert too. He's faced a lot of pressure at school to be more extrovert, but thankfully now has a form tutor that gets him.

I know several people who crave company and can't bear to be alone for more than a few minutes at a time. That's a very alien concept to me. I don't even feel the need for the radio. I like the sound of silence.

Have any of you seen this article?

I was nodding enthusiastically to so much of it.

It's interesting that a few have said they didn't understand themselves for a long time- I feel the same. In fact, I was convinced I was an extrovert until relatively recently. I'm not shy, I know how to make polite conversation with strangers in social situations, I can be loud and a good laugh with friends. But I now realise that a person can be all of those things, and still an introvert.

I used to be an extrovert until about 12 yrs but have been quite introvert since then. Being part of a clique never suited me. I love spending time socialising with people but like others have said, not all the time.m

Also after about 3 hours, I have enough and feel a need to be alone.

Daydreaming, listening to music (not too much though), thinking, writing, walking, yoga those are the things that make me happy.

There was a guy I read about in the newspaper who was doing a charity stunt for charity. One week on his own, with no phone calls, no internet, nothing.
I actually found myself envying him. Sounds like heaven to me. Would miss MN though
I sometimes have to force myself out with my toddler to the odd play group or walk with friends. I do worry that my unsociable personality might rub off on the kids.

I love my own company, I also like to be sociable. I remember when dh went away for 4 days and his family were hassling me to visit. I had to explain repeatedly that I was looking forward to the solitude.

I'm always keen for DH to go away for a night so that I can enjoy the house to myself.

I love being being with others but base is always time on my own I think.
I was at a party on Saturday and after 3 hours of party chat I really needed some peace and quiet so slunk away for a at home (I was driving too so had to stay sober at the party which perhaps didn't help)

I have been like this all my life & have often been referred to as odd because of it.
I long for time on my own, as a primary school teacher it is impossible during the day so after work I crave peace and solitude. Dh is the total opposite & can't comprehend my behaviour at all.
Fortunately he works long hours, or else we'd probably be divorced by now.

Count me in.Love my DH - who is very sociable ,likes nothing better than a party, and chats to everyone and anyone - but he is out tonight and I also love having the house to myself. I think after so many busy,busy years bringing up 3 DCs ,working full time and then running my own business I just love peace and quiet and a chance to potter and daydream.
I have several great friends and enjoy a catch up, meal out and our social life but never go looking for extra because I love my home ,my dogs and cat and prefer kicking through the leaves in a wood with the dogs over a noisy party any day.

Me. I love my own company. Was nodding along to everything in that article.

(Could that be a more introvert response?! )

I miss time on my own.

I miss rambling to myself in the car on the way to work, or sitting in a restaurant alone. The cinema alone is a luxury DH could never understand.

I love a quiet house, and when DH goes away.

9 months of being a walking feeding boob machine have made me maudlin for my own company again.... But it's coming!

Another one here. I am one of five but love my own company. I came across a saying recently which rang true to me. "I'd rather be alone with my thoughts than alone with other people".