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Ocelot II

(120,813 posts)
Sat May 1, 2021, 11:38 AM May 2021

Meet the introverts who are dreading a return to normal.

Everybody can’t wait to return to normal. Except for half the population dreading the return to normal.

“It’s like being paroled for a year and then being told, ‘Actually, you’re going back to prison'"...

For most introverts, the outside world can sometimes require emotional labor. The small talk at the office is work because no one wants to know how you’re really doing. Bosses and clients demand a happy face. Extended family and friends, no matter how loved, require what little down time isn’t already dedicated to work and a spouse or kids...

...As one Twitter user put it, “now that I’m fully vaccinated, I just want you to know that I still won’t be able to make that thing because I don’t want to come.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/introverts-are-dreading-a-return-to-the-noise-crowds-and-small-talk-of-normal-life/2021/04/09/386006b0-987b-11eb-b28d-bfa7bb5cb2a5_story.html

Yup.
24 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Meet the introverts who are dreading a return to normal. (Original Post) Ocelot II May 2021 OP
I'm one of those who will have to create a fresh list of reasons for regrets, plausible ShazamIam May 2021 #1
I can't even use the excuse of being sick because one of the side-effects Ocelot II May 2021 #2
Yes, no cold or flu, just the spring pollen, which fortunately leads to summer dust, pollen and ShazamIam May 2021 #5
I'm one of those. Probably be a 'hybrid' situation - working at home couple days a week CousinIT May 2021 #3
Yep, yep, yep. tanyev May 2021 #4
I have a feeling Diamond_Dog May 2021 #6
Yup x 2. I got to say that socially, yonder May 2021 #7
Count me as one who is thoroughly comfortable in his cocoon. Midnight Writer May 2021 #8
50 percent of the country is introvert jimfields33 May 2021 #9
See? Introverts do such a good job staying out of the hustle and bustle tanyev May 2021 #14
Lol. Love it and so true. We need you so much to keep things perfect!!!! jimfields33 May 2021 #17
I mean maybe... Unca Jim May 2021 #15
Really? I thought as you did. I really believed that we were a majority extrovert nation. smirkymonkey May 2021 #23
I'm a bit of an introvert but I'm looking forward to being able to do a few more things captain queeg May 2021 #10
I get to continue working from home zuul May 2021 #11
I've been socially distancing most of my life (not really, but it's a great excuse!) George II May 2021 #12
Introvert here. orangecrush May 2021 #13
I turned down my 50th class reunion citing COVID. Delmette2.0 May 2021 #16
I'm so grateful mine isn't until 2022. jimfields33 May 2021 #18
I truely hope you have a great time. nt Delmette2.0 May 2021 #19
Thank you so much. jimfields33 May 2021 #20
Make Up DemUnleashed May 2021 #21
I missed celebrating a few family Mr.Bill May 2021 #22
I read this in the WaPo when it came out, but I just saw it here. smirkymonkey May 2021 #24

ShazamIam

(2,701 posts)
1. I'm one of those who will have to create a fresh list of reasons for regrets, plausible
Sat May 1, 2021, 11:49 AM
May 2021

and foolproof, meaning unquestionable.

Ocelot II

(120,813 posts)
2. I can't even use the excuse of being sick because one of the side-effects
Sat May 1, 2021, 11:53 AM
May 2021

of a year of self-imposed house arrest and mask-wearing is that I never got sick with anything.

ShazamIam

(2,701 posts)
5. Yes, no cold or flu, just the spring pollen, which fortunately leads to summer dust, pollen and
Sat May 1, 2021, 12:01 PM
May 2021

too much sunlight.

CousinIT

(10,179 posts)
3. I'm one of those. Probably be a 'hybrid' situation - working at home couple days a week
Sat May 1, 2021, 11:57 AM
May 2021

Onsite other days.

Blech.

tanyev

(44,501 posts)
4. Yep, yep, yep.
Sat May 1, 2021, 11:58 AM
May 2021

The pandemic has been the ultimate good reason for not doing things I didn't really want to do. I'll be fully vaccinated in a few more days and I do want to do my own grocery shopping in person, especially stores like Sprouts or Trader Joe's which I haven't bothered with since this all started. That's about all I miss.

Diamond_Dog

(34,612 posts)
6. I have a feeling
Sat May 1, 2021, 12:14 PM
May 2021

That some people I know will be wanting to meet for lunch in a restaurant now that more of us are fully vaccinated, and I’m just not comfortable with that yet. I know they’ll think I’m being a weenie but I can’t help it.

Midnight Writer

(22,969 posts)
8. Count me as one who is thoroughly comfortable in his cocoon.
Sat May 1, 2021, 12:26 PM
May 2021

I have no desire to break out as a social butterfly.

jimfields33

(18,837 posts)
9. 50 percent of the country is introvert
Sat May 1, 2021, 12:46 PM
May 2021

I’m a huge extrovert. I am stunned by the 50-50 split. I thought it was 80 extrovert and 20 introvert. Learn something new everyday.

tanyev

(44,501 posts)
14. See? Introverts do such a good job staying out of the hustle and bustle
Sat May 1, 2021, 02:19 PM
May 2021

you don't realize how many of us there are. Sneaky.

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
23. Really? I thought as you did. I really believed that we were a majority extrovert nation.
Fri May 28, 2021, 04:53 AM
May 2021

I am an extreme introvert and feel like I am surrounded by extroverts everywhere I go. Especially at work, which is where it's hardest for me.

The pandemic and ensuing lockdown has been a dream come true for me. I did miss some things, but basically I was not suffering at all.

captain queeg

(11,780 posts)
10. I'm a bit of an introvert but I'm looking forward to being able to do a few more things
Sat May 1, 2021, 01:44 PM
May 2021

I got a haircut and went to the library yesterday. Not my first haircut but I’ve missed the library for the last year or so. They did have a program where you could order books and they’d bring them to your car but yesterday was the first time I could browse in a long time. You had to sign up for a slot and they only let 6 in at a time for half hour of access, but that was sure nice and I picked up three books.

zuul

(14,663 posts)
11. I get to continue working from home
Sat May 1, 2021, 02:05 PM
May 2021

and I am thrilled! I would rather spend time with plants and animals than humans!

Delmette2.0

(4,261 posts)
16. I turned down my 50th class reunion citing COVID.
Sat May 1, 2021, 02:22 PM
May 2021

My very small home town is mostly Repug now and former classmates will be attending from all over the country. I really don't have anything in common with any of them.

The organizers seem to think this will all be over by July. LOL.

jimfields33

(18,837 posts)
18. I'm so grateful mine isn't until 2022.
Sat May 1, 2021, 02:27 PM
May 2021

I haven’t missed one yet and I even flew back from Korea to attend one. They are the best.

Mr.Bill

(24,790 posts)
22. I missed celebrating a few family
Sat May 1, 2021, 02:42 PM
May 2021

birthdays and anniversaries, but other than that I have actually enjoyed the last year. I should mention I am retired and my income wasn't harmed at all. I used stimulus money to do a few projects around the house, and I live in a Senior mobile home park, so I still saw my neighbors at the proper distance and never felt isolated. Zoom was a big help staying in touch with family, but we didn't even use that as much as I thought we would.

A wife I really get along well with and a couple of good dogs helped, too.

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
24. I read this in the WaPo when it came out, but I just saw it here.
Fri May 28, 2021, 05:05 AM
May 2021

Sometimes, I wish this issue would be taken more seriously by society as a whole, because I still don't think introverts - our our issues - are taken seriously. It's kind of like, oh, isn't that cute! Well, you still have to play by our rules, sorry!

I can choose my own friends and most of them are either more like me or at least understand and accept my introverted tendencies, but where it is really a problem is at work, where extroverts shine and introverts are not considered to be "team players", blah blah blah. I am dreading going back to the office, even though it will only be about three days per week.

And our company is big on "culture" which means we have all these social events, which are usually happy hours, or other party type events which I have no interest in, so I feel like I am being anti-social when I don't attend. I have been using fear of Covid as an excuse so far (it's mostly the younger people who have been attending these things), but I won't be able to use that legitimately for much longer.

I love that last line! “now that I’m fully vaccinated, I just want you to know that I still won’t be able to make that thing because I don’t want to come.” So perfect!

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