Kids are off from school tomorrow because of high school graduation.
E still has to get up super early, because both the chamber group and the band will be performing at the graduation.
C is going to be away sleeping over at a friend's house until probably noontime tomorrow.
So that leaves H... and me (working from home, as usual) all alone together in the morning... I keep hinting that she should invite a friend over... Because otherwise H is going to be bored to tears and H does not do well with boredom.
I think she may be an extrovert.
It's hard to tell, in a house full of introverts (although everyone has a different flavor of introvertedness).
Husband is a quiet person and is OK doing things on his own but does love chatting with people. He prefers company when he is out on errands or fixing up things around the house.
E and C are both very chatty and love hanging out with their friends but are also OK doing things on their own (books, puzzles, projects) for hours at a time.
For me, people are like water: without people, I'll wither and die. But when there are too many people (or too much time with people), I get overwhelmed, panicked, and need to escape (even if it's just inside my head).
And then there is H: she can talk non-stop for hours, she craves constant attention and company, she likes going places and doing things with other people. She is not one to sit and daydream. She likes action.
For the most part, I've surrounded myself with fellow introverts (in personal and professional life; both science and writing tend to select for this type of personality). It is comfortable but having conversations can be a lot of work (I have to talk! and ask questions! and then ask more questions! it's exhausting!) On occasion, I've found myself surrounded by extroverts (it was fun! but exhausting in a completely different way!)
It must also be hard to be an extrovert surrounded by a bunch of introverts who are looking at you like you are a creature from outer space and can't wait to get away from you...
Do you often find yourself in a situation when you are surrounded by personalities radically different from your own? Is it stressful, or invigorating, or confusing?
Oh, my. Yes it IS difficult to be the extravert with introverts. My husband is an extreme introvert and I take those tests and score as an extreme extrovert. Honestly! How crazy is that? We've been together for 47 years now, so we are making it work...but it is much harder in retirement. When he was working, he got all day to sit in his office and avoid people. So the evenings with the family were okay for him. And I was with people all day. But now we are together a LOT, and I LOVE having friends and family over.....we tease him about how he needs a break on Fridays when some of the kids and the grandkids are over. But there is a part of me that still doesn't understand it. How can he NOT want to be with them? How can he prefer going downstairs alone when his little grandson is calling for him? Sigh... (I'm trying...I"m trying..)
ReplyDeleteHi Ann. I have to admit - I laughed reading your comment :) I can so relate to "sit in his office and avoid people" - yes!!!!
DeleteWonderful that you have been together for 47 years! That's a lot of year!!!
I love my family and kids but there are times when I absolutely need to stare at a wall for an hour or two and not talk :) Luckily, I can usually do that when they are at school and I'm working (from home... alone... in the attic...) but I may need to figure out a new strategy for the retirement.