Reasons This Introvert Is Looking Forward To Returning to 'Normal'

I have been spending some time reading more about introverts, and specifically how to help introverts in business.  I own my business and I have to be the sales person as well as the technical person.  I like people well enough, and in fact I enjoy helping them complete the process of them creating or updating their website.  I like to solve problems.  But some aspects of being a business owner are difficult for introverts, namely the sales process.  I am always looking for ways to help me become more tolerant of the process and hope to have neutral feelings on the process, I know I will never love it.

One of the personality traits of an introvert:

You are drained by social interactions

While extroverts would not dare miss a Friday night out with friends, introverts know when they’ve maxed out and need to refuel their batteries. That’s not to say all introverts will flake out of parties — they can and do enjoy them as much as any extrovert — but at the end of a long night, introverts need to escape to recharge and reset. (source)

 

That trait is one of the reasons that all of this "stay safe at home" or "lockdowns" have been so hard for me.    The end of that last sentence which I bolded is the key, with the current situation where and how do introverts recharge and reset if everyone is in our homes?  The answer is we struggle, and we try to cobble some time alone but it is difficult.

Which brings me to 15 Facts About Introverts Most People Don't Know, specifically number 8 on the list.

8. They Love Spending Time With Their Kids, But They Need Downtime Too

Kids come along with their own personalities, which means that they can be extroverted. It’s fun to watch extroverts in action and witness how people interact, but an introvert still needs alone time from their kids to recharge. Being introverted makes one a great parent: They’re able to answer the why’s of life’s mysteries, they are patient, love their kids tremendously and are fun to be around. Just give them some alone time, and they’re good.

And ta-da if you understand these two bits of information you can easily see why for some introverts like me that have kids this whole situation has not be even close to being a dream.  I can certainly imagine that if my kids were older (they are currently elementary age) my experieince would still be difficult but less so than it is now.  As parents we understand that the younger the kid the more attention and time they need, so younger kids are going to drain us more than older kids.  

So yes I look forward to things returning to a more normal situation, and I kind of look forward to some parties and get togethers because yes I do like people and I need people.  Really Introverts Don't Hate People.  But what I am absolutely looking forward to the most, is the ability for Mr. Padawan to go to the office and the little Padawans being able to go to school full time in person (a girl can dream) or attend camps and I can have my quiet space back and I can be gloriously alone.

And yes even when I am alone and working that means I am talking to clients, or prospective clients and that is ok.  Those are things that I do and in some ways I find them draining but they don't require the emotional engagement that comes with interacting with my family specifically with my kids.