layla | Introverts unite!

A nifty article I came across today on Caring For Your Introvert neatly expresses a concept that I've always had trouble getting across to people -- that social interaction drains me. I sometimes have a hard time figuring out how to explain, without sounding like a total weenie, that it's not that I don't enjoy spending time with my friends; it's just that I need a lot of charging/recharging in order to prepare for or recover from an evening of social interaction, or even a phone conversation. It's fun, but it's also a bit like running a marathon uphill, especially in a social setting with a lot of people. I've learned by experience that about 2-3 hours of personal interaction (give or take a bit) or somewhere between a half-hour to an hour on the phone is about as long as I can happily enjoy before I reach the point where weariness starts to overwhelm the fun I'm having. So ... if I leave a party early, or if I politely start trying to end a conversation on the phone after an hour or so, it's not because I don't like you, it's just because I'm getting very tired and I need to stop for a rest.

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Now the internet doesn't feel like socializing - it's not at all draining in the way RL being with people is. Actually, like I mentioned - I've used my computer to get a little alone time, even with people still in the room... Which is really weird, but I think it works, for me? If my attention is on something I want to do, and not on the people around me, that can help me relax...

Yes, for me too! I think it's because I have total control over the pacing of social interaction online. Answering emails or LJ comments can be done at my own speed, while I listen to music and sip tea. If I want to take off for an hour or so to walk the dogs or make dinner, or switch back to writing fiction for a while, I can do it without having to interrupt a conversation or feeling like I'm inconveniencing someone else.

The chats we've been doing kind of fall in the middle, I think ... it's less socially/emotionally tiring than talking on the phone, and it's much easier to interrupt and run off to do something, but I do feel the need to do something solitary for a while when we're done.

(Speaking of which ... have you written anything more lately? Tomorrow's a workday, but if you *aren't* writing on it right now, I was thinking about taking the document along and seeing if I can get some writing done if it's slow.)

Conclusion: the internet is a very brilliant invention all around, and I love it!

The chats we've been doing kind of fall in the middle, I think ... it's less socially/emotionally tiring than talking on the phone, and it's much easier to interrupt and run off to do something, but I do feel the need to do something solitary for a while when we're done.

I usually go to bed when we're done. *g* So... I couldn't really say! But I'm glad that you've got a feel for what it takes out of you. And hopefully, you don't push yourself to chat or so when you don't want to! I mean, I haven't gotten that impression, but - just so you know that I won't take offense. ♥

(Writing - no, nothing really substantial... Go ahead, if you're still awake and in the mood to write! Sorry I didn't answer sooner - woke up later than usual today.)

Uh. I just sent you a mail that got bounced on account of being spam. And I sent it to your regular address from my regular account...! What?

Basically I was just asking you to send the doc back if you do work on it, because I hope to have time & focus today, but. Bouncing mails? This is not good, is it? I'm not spam~! (Well. Sometimes, maybe, but I didn't think spam filters would judge me. *g*)

Uh ... that's not good! It would especially suck if ficathon stories are getting bounced. Wow. That would suck a lot.

I've been getting emails today, though, so maybe try sending it again? If not, I'll go into my spam filters and see if I can figure out how to allow an address. (I've never actually tried to do that before, so ... it would be an adventure!)

Maybe it just decided I really am an evil spammer, with all the mailing I'm doing? ^^;;

Err. Have sent again - no bouncing yet! I should send you the error message, too, so you know. (That's the thing - it sent a long error message back, so if that was happening to ficathon people, they'd probably be all over your comments...!)

Huh. Maybe it was just a one-time glitch in the system?

LOL! Yes, this

naye person, sending all these emails ... clearly she cannot be trusted! She must be a spammer .... real human beings don't write that much. XD

Oh, hang on, I think I just got your email! Guess they decided you were a real human being after all.

Introverts unite!

Re: I'm essaying again - sorry!

Re: I'm essaying again - sorry!

Mail problems?

Re: Mail problems?

Re: Mail problems?

Re: Mail problems?