AIBU to think lockdown suits introverted people?

[ssd]

Its quite suited me, I'm pretty introverted. I like company, one or two people but i feel lost in a big gathering. I don't like parties or forced get togethers. I live my own company. I've got friends but no family to meet up with.

Lockdown hasn't been a million miles away to my usual life.

Don't know if I'm a weirdo or fairly typical?

I fully agree! Although, my life is still pretty busy with 4DC and being a teacher, but I am relieved to not have to upkeep social norms. I even deleted WhatsApp!

I really enjoy this quiet life without guilt.

No, it's been hideous as I've had no time alone, there is always someone there and it drives me mad.

I adapted really well to lockdown and am perfectly happy in my own company although I have missed my parents and some close friends. Our diary is now filling up with invites and I’m already starting to feel a bit anxious and overwhelmed with all the planning and logistics!

Introvert here and while I agree some parts have not been that hard my fiancé and I (he is a introvert too) have been struggling not being able to go out for a nice meal or grab a coffee before the food shop to make the process less grueling, also miss poping to mc donald after church for a treat etc. Yes in the grand scheme of things it's been ok but the boredom of having nothing to do going out is getting a bit irritating

Nope. Like many others have said, lockdown has meant I haven't been on my own for more than a couple of hours in months. My partner is now my only colleague. I've spent around five months of the past year trying to work from home with a toddler around. There is NO ESCAPE.

Also I've realised I do quite like being around people, I just don't like interacting with them. I miss sitting in coffee shops on my own, and wandering round the shops.

Introverts tend to like the company of a few close people, I think? DH is a real introvert so lockdown has mostly suited him, however he has really missed seeing his parents - and I'd imagine other introverts without loved ones close at hand will probably feel the same.

As a parent of a couple of introverts who have thrived I worry about how they will cope or are coping with exposure. I am the extrovert in the family (I think I am more an introvert trapped inside an extrovert) and have found it so boring and stressful being inside so much. I get dreadful cabin fever.

Partly.

I'm an introvert, though most of my friends think of me as a social butterfly and hedonist.

But I can go for days without seeing another human being and not really notice. I never get bored or restless when I'm by myself. I don't really get stir-crazy either. In fact that's exactly how I recharge so I can then really enjoy socialising. I knew all this already, from my days when I was self-employed and single.

So to an extent I've been able to slip into lockdown life fairly comfortably, though now I have DP it's not as I've actually been challenged to be totally alone. But the flipside of needing this kind of life to recharge is the opposite - God I miss having those bursts of full-on partying and socialising that keep me going when I return to my cave!

YANBU OP

I think it suits some people who cba to go out and try new places but definitely not all introverts are like that.
I'm an introvert and I really value time alone but I also enjoy spending time with people that I like. I also love travelling, going out to eat, the cinema, museums and galleries. I like getting lunch out alone and reading a newspaper while I eat. I love browsing shops. I also LOVE getting drunk at a family party, taking my shoes off and going mad on the dancefloor. But I am definitely an introvert and generally a quiet person. I've really missed all that fun stuff and I hate lockdown.

I'm finding this interesting.

I am increasingly understanding why so many people pre-Covid appear so flakey about social events they have apparently agreed to, if not even committed to; the number who just don't show, or last-minute bail out.

But I guess I happy that this ill wind has blown some good!

I do worry about the younger, single people: how will they ever meet a life-partner?

Yep. It’s been a huge relief to me in lots of ways to have lockdown remove social obligation.

There’s a part of me that will miss the peace.

I would normally feel panicky and stressed about attending group events. For the first time I’ve actually enjoyed them because I haven’t physically had to attend.

Yep I've been fine. I do houseparty coffee morning with friends a couple times a week. I do work with one other person once a week. But I've been totally fine with not seeing anyone. My daughter has been happy- almost too much do! My son is an extrovert and it had been harder for him, but he has coped great. My only disappointment was both kids were to go abroad last year (Prague and Amsterdam with school and Turkey for my son and his now ex gf). I am sorry they missed those experiences.

@ssd

Its quite suited me, I'm pretty introverted. I like company, one or two people but i feel lost in a big gathering. I don't like parties or forced get togethers. I live my own company. I've got friends but no family to meet up with.

Lockdown hasn't been a million miles away to my usual life.

Don't know if I'm a weirdo or fairly typical?

For me it's a mix. It hasn't been a big change from my usual (I'm a SAHM home educator), apart from having DH at home all the time too, and no activities for the children.

But there's no down time. There's no space. There's very little Just Me. DH takes the children (and dog) out for a walk at the weekends, and that's the only alone time I get. And the children are snippy with each other because they're tired of just their company and not going out to the things they would normally do.

I started feeling trapped in January, I think. I'd like to have freedom again.

Introvert here.

There has been the occasional moment where I wished I could go to a restaurant or comfortably browse in a store, but a life centered on home doesn’t bother me.

I already worked from home. I had for years, so nothing changed for me.

It's suited me. I had an impromptu garden visit this weekend and I wasn't pleased. I would have been a lot happier if it had been planned; I don't like surprises.

I've enjoyed not spending money on socialising. I used to think it was essential to go on work's Christmas parties, but I'm not going this year if there is one.

Lockdown 1 was like a gift from heaven for me as I was able to work from home and spend time with my immediate family. I could happily live on an island in the middle of nowhere on my own. Or maybe with DH for company I guess I'm just a sad loner.

Minniejackson I have a bit of agoraphobia too.I can only really go to work and sometimes the shops.Do you still drive?I haven't for 4 yrs and recently felt so good I wanted to restart the GP seemed to imply I need to inform the DVLA I have the forms from the PO.
Mydsis has anxiety and only drives when able.

@whatisforteamum no I don't drive. But I don't walk either I live in a cul -de-sac of 24 houses and bungalows and can't walk to the end of it. Why do you have to tell the DVLA? Is it because you haven't driven for 4 years or because of the anxiety/ agoraphobia? It's shit. Might put myself in for another round of CBT soon

I’m definitely more introverted and I’ve hated it. It’s been oppressive and shit. No seeing family or friends, just working every day outside the home. No opportunity to hunker down and “relax”. Just all the shit parts of life.
Also think it’s pretty shitty people saying “good” about “extroverts” hating lockdown. That’s quite low, to be honest. No one is purposely victimising you by having open plan offices.

I have a friend who is a real introvert. Lovely person, a true friend and happy to socialise, but needs lots of time alone to recharge.
She has found lockdown much less stressful than normal life.
Have you introverts read Debbie Tung's book, Quiet Girl in a Noisy World?

It's the recharging I need - lockdown is the ultimate recharge! I'm not a quiet girl- I talk too much- other people probably need to recharge after spending time with me

I have not missed people but wish my kids would give me a break and go out 😁

No because I have had a house full of family who are usually out doing their own stuff.
Very little alone time.

Minniejackson that sucks.!I had a phase where I could cut through the churchyard to work but I was terrified to cross the road to my workplace.My side was my safe place if you see what I mean.Im dreading the crowds as I hope I can still go for walks.