Want to know a secret? I am an introvert. Believe it or not – it’s the truth.
Sometimes I feel guilty about this – sometimes I even feel like I SHOULD feel embarrassed or ashamed. Lots of times I would rather hang out with my dogs than go and be “social.” Some people would judge this as anti-social and problematic. I think what people forget is that being introverted doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy being social. It doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy parties, meeting new people, telling jokes, or being outgoing – it just means at the end of the day I don’t feel “whole” without a little – well – quiet time.
It’s difficult to be an introvert in an extroverted world. People often give me a hard time for not going to parties or for turning down dates. They look at me like I’m a weirdo when I tell them I declined an offer to do this or that and played frisbee with my dogs instead.
It’s just that in the grand scheme of things I look at it this way. Will I remember the party I went to this weekend in 10 years? Probably not.
Will I remember making a music video with my nieces and nephew? The family doggy birthday party I threw for Duchess and Chloe (they turned 4 btw) ? How about the afternoon with my nephew when he taught me all about water balloons?
Yes. Yes I think I will.
Does this mean there is something wrong with me? Maybe. But I’m ok with that.
WHY AM I BRINGING THIS UP??? Because people give me a hard time about it. They insinuate that I’m not living my life to the fullest. But seriously – I’m on VACATION I don’t want to date when I COULD be spending quality time with my peeps (family and dogs.) 
It’s funny how differently people define fun. Or maybe it’s just funny how I personally define fun. But for me? Fun is hearing my 4 year old niece tell me she loves me, having my 10 year old niece confide her feelings in me, having my 11 year old nephew send me text messages, cuddling with my dogs, and sitting outside on the patio chatting with my family.
Am I boring? I guess so.
But … am I happy?
i’m an introvert too — i LOVE my “sophia time” and i never feel bad about it. that doesn’t mean i don’t love a good party of course :)
I’m an introvert also, and sometimes it’s hard to get others to understand it’s ok if we don’t go out all the time. Just because we do this doesn’t mean we’re anti-social–or selfish.
Okay.. as long as we’re making confessions.. wow.. this is hard..
I am also an introvert.
Surprised?
Well, you shouldn’t be. I think I’m like the poster boy for introversion. And sometimes society makes me feel bad as well because I’d rather spend a night in reading a book or watching some DVDs or whatever, but at the end of the day fuck em. I’m happy. And I don’t need them.
PS That kissy picture with your niece is cute =)
I’m sitting here on my couch watching TV by myself as I read this… and seriously- if YOU are anti-social then I must be the hermit of all hermits. You do WAY more than I do. I too think I’m really boring sometimes, but i’m quite happy just chilling on my own sometimes. And niece and nephew time?? That’s my idea of fun too :)
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I am so much like you. I would rather have a few friends at my house then go out to a club. Hang out with my family then ‘go out’. And I love having me time (with my dog of course!)
You are not anti-social. You just have your priorities different then some. Some people are still stuck in ‘party’ mode and you are growing up.
My partner, myself and our six year old daughter are all introverted. Some of the nicest times in our house is when we are all in our own parts of the house doing our own things. It’s nice and peaceful. We get grumpy if we’re in each others face to much.
I wrote about it on my fatherhood blog here
http://www.straightdopedad.com/introverts-are-not-retarded-or-anti-social/