I am not what you'd call a people person. In fact, I love being alone. Of course I get lonely sometimes, or I did before this whole employment thing happened, but I relished having all that time (unemployed time specifically) to myself.
Maybe it's selfishness or self-awareness or perhaps it's just the inability to be social, but being around people all the time exhausts me.
There are exceptions of course, I don't consider Inspector Climate or Bobo or Muffin or Jess or my housemate people. Let me rephrase that, I consider them my people. And I don't mean that in a possessive "that's my bitch" kind of way, but in "they are part of my clan and get me and don't annoy the ever-living-CRAP out of me when we spend more than 2 hours together" kind of way. Clearly.
Unfortunately, the list of "they are part of my clan and get me and don't annoy the ever-living-CRAP out of me when we spend more than 2 hours together" people is far shorter than the list of people who begin to grate on my nerves. And it's not anyone specifically (usually), but I get so worn out pretending to be a people person at work, at yoga, on the public transport, in the supermarket, walking down the street, or being polite to the people in my building when I see them that on weekends all I want to do is be a recluse. I want to shut myself in my cute little apartment and watch endless episodes of How I Met Your Mother, read books, knit things, read your blogs (because I like you - mostly - especially you! Yes you!). and watch comfort movies until I find people endearing again instead of a pain in my rather flat-ass.
So I just want to take this moment to speak the truth. I am not a people person. And sometimes, even though I have the best intentions, I am not your biggest fan. I am sorry.
But boy, do I feel better now that I've confessed that!
Any confessions you'd like to share?
Yeah... I've not been around as often as I'd like - and much as I'd like to say that's going to change, it's probably not. Not for a while, at least.
ReplyDeleteBut hey, I'm thinking of ya.
Oh do I feel ya. Being around people all day exhausts me. And just yesterday I had the "I don't know what's wrong with me but lately I just hate everyone, no EVERYONE, except for you" conversation with a friend. So yeah, I get this. Chin up. :)
ReplyDeleteThis happens to me on a regular basis. Normally I like people but when I don't it is like the fires of hell have erupted and it's all I can do to no shove little old ladies in the metro. Seriously. That is my confession: I sometimes hate little old ladies.
ReplyDeleteI completely get what you're saying. I'm not anti-people, but I like to surround myself with MY people.
ReplyDeleteDoing all that social group interaction/after work drinks/knowing everyone's business, it's just not me and is absolutely draining.
If I could surround myself with cool blogger friends I'd be happy! But the freaky people in real life make really good fodder for future posts. It's a challenge some days...
ReplyDeleteOK, here's a real confession. My husband doesn't travel for work very often. When he does need to spend a night away, I say, "Oh no! I'll miss you!" but what I really think is "Oh goody! I can skip cooking and watch Glee and read till one a.m. and sleep without setting the alarm and let the dog up on the bed."
ReplyDeleteI don't have people which makes it easier to be a non-people person.
ReplyDeleteMatthew - Aw, Matthew. That's sweet. It's ok, I haven't been visiting your corner of the internet as often as I'd like either!
ReplyDeleteDiary of Why - Thanks! I am glad I am not the only one...
Ev Rev - I sometimes hate little old ladies too! One yelled at me on the tram the other day, and I may have cried.
DDG - Seriously, it is SO exhausting. I just can't be that friendly for hours at a time. let's face it, even minutes at a time can be tough.
Meg - They do make good fodder...although most of them I can't really write about. Stupid employment.
Susan - Dogs on the bed sounds lovely!
linlah - I am fairly certain you're one of my people.
I know how to keep myself busy, and don't need people around me every minute of the day. I don't have a lot of friends, but that doesnt really bother me at all. The once I have (my people) accept me for me and I don't need to always entertain them.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
I'm not much of a people person either. I do enjoy socialising but I love time alone and plenty of time at home. I need a balance. I particularly struggle with loud people. I like quite people the best.
ReplyDeleteFunny how it's not really cool to admit that you like time alone and to spend time at home, isn't it?
ReplyDelete