Ramblings of a Thirty-Something

A lot of things have happened in the past few weeks that have put me in a reflecting mood. I've been thinking about myself and the way I think and why I do the things I do. And I keep coming back to the way I'm hardwired...and that I have an internal battery rather than an external one. This morning on Facebook, I shared a link from a friend called "Five things Everyone Should know about Introverts." I've read articles like these before, where most of what is said I find relatable, but with this particular list, I found everything relatable. Let me just jot down the list and then I'll start rambling. 1. Introverts are not just shy. 2. Introverts are not snobs. 3. Introverts love to be social. 4. Introverts do become envious at the ease in which others can socialize. 5. Introverts are generally very introspective. I raised my hand with each and every one of these items. I get my energy being alone and get my energy drained being in crowds or in unfam...

I feel like "introvert" has a negative connotation. Even as an introvert myself, I still get this horrible image of a person curled up in a blanket in a dark room, refusing to mingle with the outside world. Sometimes that is what I feel like doing. Those days, however, are rare. I do get the impression that sometimes my actions befuddle people. If they could see into my hardwiring, I feel they would be even more befuddled--gobsmacked, even. Hopefully, this helps with some misconceptions people might have. I am very socially anxious. I don't know if that is because my brain is wired introverted-ly or if I am an introvert because of my social anxiety. Who's to say? I'm not terrible--I don't have panic attacks when I am forced to socialize. But it is difficult sometimes. When I am around a group of people I don't know, I get very quiet. I am one of those people that half the world thinks is quiet and the other half (the half that really knows me) think...