You're only being asked to stay home and watch Netflix

[boredbutterfly]

I'm so sick and tired of hearing this from naturally more introverted people. As if it's the easiest thing in the world to do this day in day out on end.

Some of us are extroverts. We need social interaction. It's what makes us happy and energises us. On the flip side introverts tend to need alone time to 'recharge' and that absolutely fine to.

But I'm so sick of hearing from introverts that staying home alone all day is so easy. Yes it may be easy for you but we're not all the same.

Imagine if that was some pandemic, or even just a sociological phenomenon, which meant that it was never safe to be alone. Some form of the 'buddy system' had to be introduced. Or some kind of sociological shift where we all had to go out and partake in an activity, even a basic social one like interacting with a cashier or meeting someone for a coffee, every day for days on end for a year. How long do you think it would be before the introverts were breaking and talking about how they 'just need one day for themselves' and they were willing to take the small risk just to get some time alone to recharge because they were going crazy.

I'm just so sick of all the sanctimonious introverts acting like because this is their preferred way of living the rest of us should find it easy to adapt to. And that it's not just asking us to stay home and watch Netflix, but to give up everything that for some is us have life meaning, was our way of recharging or unwinding or energising ourselves.

I probably haven't articulated myself very well. I just need a vent after hearing yet again some variation of 'it's just staying in and watching tv, the rest of us are getting on with it fine, why can't you' and I want to scream 'BECAUSE THAT'S ALL YOU BLOODY DID BEFORE LOCKDOWN TOO, NOTHING HAS CHANGED FOR YOU!'

@MixedUpFiles

You realize that what you describe was life before the pandemic for introverts. Forced to go to offices or shops or classrooms every day. Forced to work in groups. All because it’s what is normal or the only way people can be productive or any other number of ridiculous excuses.

I've seen this opinion a few times, as if introverts hate leaving home, hate being out in the world, and can't cope with being around other people at all. I really don't think it's true for all introverts. I don't need to be forced to work in an office or go to a shop, in fact I am currently choosing to go to the office so I can have a little human interaction. I'm not overly keen on working in groups but I chose a career which doesn't really require that.

I am the same as you RichardMarx
I’m tired of people assuming all introverts want to be at home all day on their own

@MonsterMash2210

I must admit, I finally cracked and yelled at my husband today.

I don’t mind being home all day, but (as an introvert) it has been driving me crazy having everyone else here as well.

So I finally cracked and told my husband I am sick of everyone being home ALL THE TIME!

He was shocked. Still, wanted to add some solidarity and let you know it’s tough for some of us introverts as well.

Now if you don’t mind I am going to see how long I can hide in the cupboard under the stairs for.

Totally agree with this! Turns out I LOVE being at home. Always have - but what I love most about it, is being on my own. To do what I want to do without an audience or distraction, be it singing, the ironing or yep watching netflix. The main thing about being "introverted" for me isnt being quiet myself or not liking socialising (I dont mind it) its the time on my own I crave and need. Head space, freedom, whatever you want to call it. Impossible now everyone else is here all the live long day. So no, its still not easy for those of us who were previously happy to spend all their time at home.

I’m as extroverted as they come, practically pathologically so.

Nevertheless, I find your comments really irritating OP. There’s enough division highlighted by this pandemic without you creating a completely false one.

Plenty of people have come on here and explained why you have misunderstood what it is to be an introvert and to explain why there are many reasons this has been difficult if they are too.

By the way, our entire society is geared up for extroverts normally and people often miss out in work and private life because social norms (in most western countries anyway) favour extroverts.

Op, I can understand your perspectives and frustrations, however I guess different people have different perspectives, and I guess as frustrating as it is, hopefully when all returns to normality as best as possible,

I'm an introvert. But I am so lonely that it hurts.
Everyone is suffering in their own way.

What you're actually complaining about is the people who don't allow you to express how you feel. Your experience reminds me of when my husband had terminal cancer, and people constantly told me that I had to be POSITIVE.

I hate this saying too, but more because I'm not being asked to say home and watch Netflix. I'm being asked to go to work and nurse covid positive patients!

That’s interesting, OP, because YOU EXTROVERTS HAVE IT YOUR BLOODY WAY ALL THE REST OF THE TIME

I'm an introvert. I'm very happy.

But I'm also not a complete cunt so I recognise that not everyone is like me and I feel desperate on their behalf's and wish for this to be over for them.

The world is built for extroverts so much so there is a book written about how introverts can live in an extrovert world

But saying that what you describe is not an introvert it is a hermit - very different

You are being very offensive to introverts in your posts and actually quite ignorant to what it actually means. I would describe myself as an introverted extrovert in that I like being around people (I have loathed wfh) but I need to be myself at times to recharge

Doesn’t mean to say my lockdown experience has been any better/difficult than yours

I feel like my introvert side craves a connection and my extravert side craves a fun social occasion. It's different. I miss both

Both my introvert and extrovert sides have curled up and died. Never alone. Next to no external stimulation.

There are a couple of posters that have proved OP's point though. There are and always have been options to live in a more insular way.

@boredbutterfly

Ok, this thread has come about simply because of the 'introverts' I am dealing with. The ones I know have had to make little changes to their lives and can't seem to fathom why someone else might be struggling with 'just staying in and watching Netflix' and 'enjoying your own company'. Sure they miss doing certain things but for them it's just something they did, that they'd like to get back to when they can, but the loss of it isn't massively negatively affecting them. And they can't comprehend why the loss of these things for me is a massive blow and I can't just adapt to 'sitting at home at watching Netflix' like they can.

Many introverts have been forced to lead extroverts lives for many years. As introvert I struggle in large open plan offices. The crowds on the trains are too much.

Society has always excepected introverts to adjust to an extrovert world. You just never noticed because for you it's normal. Maybe now you get a taste of what daily life for some introverts has been like.

Ahh don’t worry OP. I’m relatively introverted but I’m not offended by your comments. I see you are mostly just directing it at those who bafflingly find lockdown enjoyable. And like to judge those who aren’t loving having their kids at home 24/7 and who want to simply get out & live again.

I saw a post the other day from someone who said people ‘breaking the rules under the banner of mental health, read actually just wanting to see their mates’ ... the two are intrinsically linked for a vast portion of the population, including introverts. Anyone judging those needing to have a chat to their mates outdoors to feel a bit brighter & happier is a complete & utter knob.

Jeez you are super judgmental!

Introverts don’t just sit home watching television ffs.

I’m fed up too I want to see my family and friends and go on nights out, holidays, festivals etc

But I can’t so I’me just getting on with it and making being at home as enjoyable as possible and staying in touch with friends and family as much as I can

I don’t get what getting so angry about it going to achieve tbh ? You can’t change the situation

It's actually a myth that introverts have faired better than extraverts.

We all need human connection....whatever trait is most dominant for you

I am usually very extraverted however I have really found my introverted side during lockdown, pottering around on my own and doing little projects. Guess I had to, but anyway there is some growth there for me.

I'd say the personality trait that is most pertinent is neuroticism, not I / E. People who have propensity to high emotion will fare worse, period.

@boredbutterfly

I fucking hate lockdown boooring as fuck

I am mixture of introvert/extrovert depends on how I feel and what type of social situation I am at.

I feel more cormfortable in some situations than others .

I too enjoy a change of scenery and seeing new faces aswell as a mixture of both.

Personally I feel in life even before Covid 19 risks there has allways been risks in life/living ,high and low risks even before someone steps out of their house, accidents can happen and do in the kitchen and on walking down stairs and then stepping outside all sorts of risks such as air pollution from car fumes ,factories etc, potential hit and run drivers high on drugs/drink and even on hols and at home especially potential risk of terrisom hotsposts,

But do we just give up on living a sort of normal life then?
we have to accept Covid 19 is with us now and just take the apprioprate steps to mimise the risks.

Severe depression /and isolation is a potential life killer,such as the cases of suicides occurring.

That's why extreme isolation from family and friends is effectively used as a form of punishment its called prison sentence .

As.its like mental torture to inflict this on someone anyone.

I think some people just try and see the glass half full/look on the bright side.

Instead of just constantly moaning about how shit everything is some people need to put a positive spin on things eg at least you have time to watch Netflix, exercise at home, save money on petrol etc. But it doesn’t mean they’re enjoying it.

I have to always put a positive spin on things as if I think of all the miserable things in life I can get depressed quite easily.

To be fair I think introverts have it pretty bad too if stuck in with their families all day!

Imagine if that was some pandemic, or even just a sociological phenomenon, which meant that it was never safe to be alone. Some form of the 'buddy system' had to be introduced

As an introvert, I can tell you that is exactly how this pandemic has felt. I’ve been locked in the house with my family for a year with no alone time to recharge.

Don’t assume that everyone who is an introvert is a recluse. Introversion doesn’t automatically mean you love being alone 100% of the time and never doing anything social or fun. I had a great social life before this and did loads of interesting things, but I also carved out a little time in the week to myself to recharge.

We’re all struggling, we’re all missing our normal lives, there are very few people who are loving this. You need to work on your empathy.

I'm a huge introvert and I've found a lot of it a real struggle. Happy to be at home yes but normally I'm alone. I haven't been alone since March last year and its been hard!

I am sick of the word 'selfish' being used to shut down people who want to engage in perfectly normal human things, such as seeing family, having a hug etc. Is the most overused word of this pandemic after 'keyworker'.

👏👏👏

I'm the biggest introvert in the history of the world. I've a 20+ year history of anxiety and depression but only in the last 18 months have I been driven to suicidal feelings. It's not a walk in the park for introverts either.

Stop making out this is harden for you just because you are an extrovert.

Sorry you are finding it tough OP but stop taking it out on other people as it's not actually their fault you are bored and fed up.

If it's winding you up so much speaking to people you deem to be intoverts and you are an extrovert, presumably with other extroverts in your circle, speak to them instead? Plan some things for when circumstances allow?

I think it very much depends on peoples individual circumstances how they are coping and how many outlets they have- do you live with other people, are you still able to work?