As an introvert, I’m happy to have a whole week of holidays, where I can stay home, far from the maddening crowd, and read books. The problem is that my well-meaning friends try to ‘cure’ me out of my introversion by insisting that I hang out with them.

It’s not that introverts don’t like going out or talking to people. It’s just that we get drained by hanging out with people, especially if it’s for a long duration or if it’s in a crowd.

Different people have different ways of getting energized. Though socializing energizes extroverts, it drains the introverts. As much as I like spending time with my friends, I desperately need some alone-time to replenish my lost energy.

It certainly does not help to try to pull me out of my shell. The shell is part of my anatomy. Please leave it alone!

I appreciate being invited out and I do go out sometimes. However, I may not enjoy social gatherings as much as I enjoy my me-time. I’m never lonely when I’m alone, but I’m sometimes lonely among people.

My definition of fun is different from the standard norms. How I wish people understood this!

You don’t have to feel sorry for me that I’m staying home on weekends. I enjoy spending my weekends curled up with a book. After 5 days of going to the office and meeting people, I need to stay home to recharge.

Since people don’t ever understand my need to stay home, I often have to lie about my plans.

If the person is really close and the occasion is too important to drop out, I go out without making any excuses. Sometimes, even in those cases, I end up missing the event.

Whatever the occasion may be, whoever may have invited me, parties with a huge crowd are a big no. As much as I love to meet people, being in a place with too many people overwhelms me.

If I somehow survived such a party, it takes a toll on me. No wonder holidays are painful. I have to keep dodging every other invite to hang out and hope I don’t appear too cold.

I wish to spend my holidays in a peaceful environment, with a minimal number of people. Not being near people, does not mean I don’t care about them. I prefer to wish them well from the comfort of my home.

Since most of my friends are extroverts, I highly appreciate them for giving me my much-required space. I’m also happy about the ones that won’t let me off the hook because they bring a variety to my life (as long as they don’t do that frequently).

Here’s wishing all of you a merry Christmas and happy holidays!

Pictures courtesy: Socially Awkward Misfit, INFJoe, Sarah’s Scribbles