The Introvert Thread

[Taylor]

1 hour ago, Φαήλος said:

Wait, you’re a pastor??

I was when I made this thread. I still work in ministry, but I do communications stuff now.

[AngelsLakersFan]

1 hour ago, Angels Never Die said:

For me, it's all about taking purposeful alone time and communicating that to others, even if you're scared they'll react badly. Make time for yourself and be real with other people about your needs (it's likely they won't react negatively.) I'm very introverted, and I've gotten better at socializing and putting on a happy face, but it wipes me out so fast. I've had social anxiety, depression, and I've dealt with some agoraphobia (I'm mostly over it now,) so I've really had to find a system in my life that allows for me to conserve my energy better. 

I would think that as you became more comfortable with yourself and the people around you a lot of the anxiety decreases, and with it social interactions become a little less expensive.

[failos]

4 minutes ago, Taylor said:

I was when I made this thread. I still work in ministry, but I do communications stuff now.

Right on. That’s awesome!

[failos]

I’m introverted too, btw. It really has nothing to do with confidence.

[Taylor]

3 minutes ago, AngelsLakersFan said:

I would think that as you became more comfortable with yourself and the people around you a lot of the anxiety decreases, and with it social interactions become a little less expensive.

Like I said, there's some truth to that. When you feel more comfortable making small talk it's less draining. But even in situations where I know everybody and have very little social anxiety, I still find myself feeling tired afterward.

[Kotchman]

I recommend consuming large amounts of alcoholic beverages. 

[failos]

Just now, Kotchman said:

I recommend consuming large amounts of alcoholic beverages. 

I don’t (currently hungover). 

[AngelsLakersFan]

7 minutes ago, Φαήλος said:

I’m introverted too, btw. It really has nothing to do with confidence.

It's not the only factor. There is inherent introversion, but I'll stand by the idea that extroverts are gaining energy from positive social interactions while introverts are spending energy on the risk of negative social interactions. Confidence is only one aspect of that calculation.

[Kotchman]

This is some deep stuff

[Angels Never Die]

2 hours ago, AngelsLakersFan said:

I would think that as you became more comfortable with yourself and the people around you a lot of the anxiety decreases, and with it social interactions become a little less expensive.

More so the anxiety lessening than the energy depletion. My whole life I've felt like I have a finite amount of energy per day, and if I go over it, I'll pay for it later. This is how it's always been for me, good or bad, it all takes something out of me. So I've gone the route of trying to use my energy more efficiently by creating "systems" that make my self care require less energy.

[T.G.]

18 hours ago, Φαήλος said:

Wait, you’re a pastor??

He was a the People's Temple, until it went bottom's up.

[failos]

17 hours ago, AngelsLakersFan said:

It's not the only factor. There is inherent introversion, but I'll stand by the idea that extroverts are gaining energy from positive social interactions while introverts are spending energy on the risk of negative social interactions. Confidence is only one aspect of that calculation.

I gain a lot of energy while I’m with friends, but I’m exhausted afterwords. It’s almost like work to me, and I’d much rather stay home and watch a TV show or take a nap.

[failos]

I’d say confidence is a factor for a subset of introverts

[Tank]

10 hours ago, True Grich said:

He was a the People's Temple, until it went bottom's up.

 

[Angels Never Die]

13 hours ago, Φαήλος said:

I gain a lot of energy while I’m with friends, but I’m exhausted afterwords. It’s almost like work to me, and I’d much rather stay home and watch a TV show or take a nap.

You have to purposely make time to recharge. It can be just as important as socializing.