That nagging feeling of being pulled in opposite directions is a struggle that anti-social extroverts know all too well. The expectations your friends or family members have set are too high.
Of course, you want to make everyone happy but you’ve got your own priorities that need to be recognized and accepted.
1. Last minute plans give you intense anxiety, unless they are made by you. You love the thought of spontaneity, but only if it’s your idea.
2. No, you can’t hang out tomorrow, you’ve got too much to do. As a matter of fact, you should probably cancel those dinner plans tonight as well.
3. Everyone anticipates you’ll be later than you say you will. When you say you’ll be there by 6:00 PM, you have intentions to do so but they know to plan on 6:45 PM. If they aren’t, they need lower the expectations. Cut that shit out.
4. If your job has you working with the public, time to unwind after work is a requirement. By the end of the day you’re physically, mentally, and emotionally drained. This overstimulation calls for a minimum of 4 hours alone time.
5. Your friends and family are always offended if you don’t answer their calls or text messages. You’re home all the time, so why can’t you respond?
6. Sleep is your number one priority. Fear of missing out is so real, but you commit to your bedtime. Sorry not sorry.
7. On occasion, you want to spend time with your friends. At your house, wearing PJ’s, drinking wine, eating pizza, and watching Netflix. You don’t have time to get ready and go out.
8. Virtually all shopping is to be done online. You certainly do not have time to shop in-store surrounded by all those people.
9. You expect an invite to all parties, even though you won’t go. Who knows when a wave of impulse will push you to attend.
10. You are an expert with excuses. I’m too busy. I’m too old. I’m too young. It’s too cold. My cats need me. I’m too tired. I’ve got a migraine. I’ve got a stomach bug. It’s my parent’s anniversary. Yes, I know they’re divorced, I still like to celebrate.
11. You tend to be the loud one in a crowd to compensate for being an introvert because no one knows you’re an introvert.
12. You spend a lot of time overanalyzing. Most of the things you analyze are “what if” scenarios that you’ll likely never encounter. Sometimes you feel stupid for wasting so much time analyzing everything, then start to analyze the fact that you overanalyze.
The terms “introvert” and “extrovert” are not 100% black and white. Personality traits are like the color wheel. Of course, you have the original red and blue, but in between the two you also have purple, magenta, violet, and whatever else Valspar has come up with.
It’s okay to be extremely talkative but also a little shy. The key is remembering that we are all very different for a reason. We must accept and appreciate others exactly as they are.