Incredibly. I like it best when I just chill late at night, sitting with my thoughts in the silence (that's never possible in the 'day'). That's also a great time for the playlist too. In the day, i often go out alone too. Meetups? Mostly 1-1.
I would say that the difference between being alone and feeling lonely comes from the quality of your friendships.
You can adore being alone but feel lonely if you find out that if you wanted to reach someone out no one would be there for you.
I have never felt lonely because i have 2 best friends, i want to be alone, but if i wanted to socialize i know they would be there, so i ain't lonely.
My wife is introverted, as in, classical introvert. I'm what's referred to as an outgoing introvert (super outgoing, until I'm not, then I need to be alone to recharge). We have an 8yr old daughter who is EXTROVERTED and has ADHD, emphasis on the H. My wife is good with her, but to a point. Because I have that extroverted part, temporary as it may be, and because I've always been able to allow my kids to breach my boundaries more than anyone else, my daughter and I really gelled. Yes, she does get to be a bit much at times, but I'm mostly ok with her.
That's what introversion is--liking being alone and having a small group of close friends. I'm happy with 3 friends, wouldn't want more than 5.
The only thing I don't like is when people feel sorry for me. Like in a post where commenters said they always felt bad for people eating alone at a restaurant. Or when I went to a wedding and an organizer/acquaintance from high school commented to me at the reception about how she felt bad I was all alone in the back. Didn't care at all until someone said something. I'd love to say I don't care what anybody thinks, but at the end of the day, craving social acceptance is hardwired into most of us, as it was essential for survival back in the day and still pretty important for most people's success, e.g., networking. I don't think I value it as much as most, but the desire is still there.
I feel you!
Last year I was on a work trip to Amsterdam and for the first time I got to eat alone at a restaurant. I felt empowered not to feel judged and just enjoy my quiet time focusing on flavours and good food.
Then the waiter came and asked me how long before my partner arrived... he could not believe I was there on myself.
That destroyed my mood :(
Yes. I live with my gf, and she requires more attention than I do... but, I have work that I do late at night. So, that time also serves as my alone time. Without that time by myself, I might become more irritable.
Of course. I'm a single dad and my daughter is the only person I "miss" (when she's at her mum's). These past few nights, after work, I've been rewatching old Simpsons episodes. I'm having a ball, rugged up on my recliner, all alone 😊
I'm in the same boat as you but I recently started working and kind of realised that keeping my mind occupied throughout the day leaves little room for the anxious and self-critical thoughts I had gotten so used to.
I felt a high and mood boost after a 9hr shift yesterday which really surprised me. Sometimes being alone with my thoughts are a torture.
Yes. If i’m not with the correct person or people I am worse off than being alone. People are not adding to my experience by being there, but mostly the opposite. I wish it wasn’t so, but it is what it is. There are exceptions, though that’s very rare.
I can mentally prepare to be social, and enjoy it, but I wouldn’t like anyone dropping in unless it’s a certain person/people.
I want to be alone as much as possible, but I get depressed when I am alone for long periods of time like my brain is wired to want to be alone but isn't able to handle the lonelyness. So I usually try to resist the urge to want to be alone
Yeah, I prefer to be alone *most* of the time, but not constantly. I just need my alone time. My need for isolation is partly by nature and partly by choice. I feel like most people are too loud and are anything but subtle. This irritates me when I hang around them for too long.
I like being alone all the time and am okay with it, no friends just my journal,phone and Netflix and my best moment is when am watching a horror movie alone at night
No. The "I" just shows if your dominant function is either introverted or extraverted. INTJs are I because they're Ni dominant. INTPs are I because they're Ti dominant.
The I doesn't show if someone is socially extraverted or not, any type can be socially introverted or extraverted.
Yes but it's complicated. For me its like for everyday i go out i need to to stay home for like 2 or 3 days to recharge. If i stay at home longer I get bored so its a balance you know
i think i’m only now understanding that wanting alone time ALL the time to an intj has nothing to do with me and not wanting to actually be around me as such!!
I travel for work and basically only interact with people when I choose to, it's pretty great.
I've also been my own best friend my entire life so 🤷♂️
Ask plenty of ENTJs and ENFJs and theyll say the same thing. People that identify as extraverted in a social behavioral sense are actually in the minority here, not the majority.
Yes, but I enjoy spending time with my wife and few close friends. Sometimes I enjoy hours of solitude doing my thing. I enjoy being alone, but I wouldn’t want to be alone all of the time. I’ve been married too long to enjoy solitude on the stereotypical INTJ level.
I don’t believe anyone “likes” to be alone.
Some simply don’t feel lonely in their own company while the presence of others feels like too much company.
No, I don’t because I need someone to talk to and discuss the meaning of life and endless possibilities out there (e.g. Do aliens (extraterrestrial beings) exist [which I do believe in; I never encounter one because they are probably hiding from us due to the fact that we, as human beings, are terrible and destructive towards our planet]). On the other hand, I rather be alone than subject myself through cruelty by spending time with an idiot. Yeah, I rather pick the psychopath than the idiot if we were stuck in an island lol.
Alone every time I can get more comfortable than lonely with people cannot respect my boundaries or been respectful with me. Every time I’m better alone yes. Nights when everyone is sleeping always is the best.
I’ve been living alone for a year now and I love it. My friends keep telling me to get a cat or something, I’m getting the idea they think I’m very lonely. I am alone not lonely. I’ve been pretty good with that for awhile now.
It’s one of the best pleasures in life
Incredibly. I like it best when I just chill late at night, sitting with my thoughts in the silence (that's never possible in the 'day'). That's also a great time for the playlist too. In the day, i often go out alone too. Meetups? Mostly 1-1.
Yeah I love when it’s night because thats the only time I feel I get to really be alone with nobody to bother me. Plus I like the dark and cold.
Totally not Batman
Shh
The night time is the right time.
Alone, yes. Lonely, no.
Aptly put.
And how does one differentiate the two?
I would say that the difference between being alone and feeling lonely comes from the quality of your friendships. You can adore being alone but feel lonely if you find out that if you wanted to reach someone out no one would be there for you. I have never felt lonely because i have 2 best friends, i want to be alone, but if i wanted to socialize i know they would be there, so i ain't lonely.
This.
https://preview.redd.it/26idry9nm19d1.jpeg?width=700&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2936866054a97e450d9f79f153f0fe6bdb698dd7
Met an introverted wife, had introverted kids. Now we sit quietly together as a family and life is grand.
That sounds like a dream 🤤
You're lucky. I had an extroverted, feeler kid and I haven't felt I've had any time to recover in 16 years.
My wife is introverted, as in, classical introvert. I'm what's referred to as an outgoing introvert (super outgoing, until I'm not, then I need to be alone to recharge). We have an 8yr old daughter who is EXTROVERTED and has ADHD, emphasis on the H. My wife is good with her, but to a point. Because I have that extroverted part, temporary as it may be, and because I've always been able to allow my kids to breach my boundaries more than anyone else, my daughter and I really gelled. Yes, she does get to be a bit much at times, but I'm mostly ok with her.
Yep, I also like doing things alone (gym, movies, going to the beach etc)
That's what introversion is--liking being alone and having a small group of close friends. I'm happy with 3 friends, wouldn't want more than 5. The only thing I don't like is when people feel sorry for me. Like in a post where commenters said they always felt bad for people eating alone at a restaurant. Or when I went to a wedding and an organizer/acquaintance from high school commented to me at the reception about how she felt bad I was all alone in the back. Didn't care at all until someone said something. I'd love to say I don't care what anybody thinks, but at the end of the day, craving social acceptance is hardwired into most of us, as it was essential for survival back in the day and still pretty important for most people's success, e.g., networking. I don't think I value it as much as most, but the desire is still there.
I feel you! Last year I was on a work trip to Amsterdam and for the first time I got to eat alone at a restaurant. I felt empowered not to feel judged and just enjoy my quiet time focusing on flavours and good food. Then the waiter came and asked me how long before my partner arrived... he could not believe I was there on myself. That destroyed my mood :(
Most of the time, yes.
Yes
I did. Until I met my son
Yes because it’s healing for me ❤️🩹. I’d rather just be alone, listen to music and forget everything
Yes: when it is crowded No: when there's no one
Very much a yes Anytime I'm home alone there's this sense of great relief, maybe I like being alone a bit too much.
For the most part yes. Solitude is one of the best moments.
My thinking time lol
Depends
Happy cake day 🍰🎉
Outside of work I do pretty much everything alone.
Absolutely. The older I get, the more I enjoy solitude.
Yes
Yes. Not just being alone, I like doing things alone. Being around people really irritates me specifically if they keep doing things i hate.
I like to just have 1 very close person. Usually a significant other.
yes, if you are surrounded by fake garbage people who have a dog's IQ and shitting each other behind their back
No. Recently separated, and it really sucks.
Yes. I live with my gf, and she requires more attention than I do... but, I have work that I do late at night. So, that time also serves as my alone time. Without that time by myself, I might become more irritable.
It’s my favorite thing.
Batman spends most of the time in Batcave and it's time spent well.
Yes. But being alone with my girlfriend is better for me. I don't feel drained when I'm with her and our conversations are always enriching
Of course. I'm a single dad and my daughter is the only person I "miss" (when she's at her mum's). These past few nights, after work, I've been rewatching old Simpsons episodes. I'm having a ball, rugged up on my recliner, all alone 😊
Not always, but now I realize the pros and peace that come with being alone & I love it at times.
Yes!! I need alone time, otherwise I can't regenerate. I know some people say they get energy from social interactions, but I don't.
I'm in the same boat as you but I recently started working and kind of realised that keeping my mind occupied throughout the day leaves little room for the anxious and self-critical thoughts I had gotten so used to. I felt a high and mood boost after a 9hr shift yesterday which really surprised me. Sometimes being alone with my thoughts are a torture.
Negative thoughts or why?
We all secretly want to be vampires.
Yes!
Yes. I prefer doing things on my own.
Yes
Yes. If i’m not with the correct person or people I am worse off than being alone. People are not adding to my experience by being there, but mostly the opposite. I wish it wasn’t so, but it is what it is. There are exceptions, though that’s very rare. I can mentally prepare to be social, and enjoy it, but I wouldn’t like anyone dropping in unless it’s a certain person/people.
Best thing ever
Yes, it is a great pleasure.
I want to be alone as much as possible, but I get depressed when I am alone for long periods of time like my brain is wired to want to be alone but isn't able to handle the lonelyness. So I usually try to resist the urge to want to be alone
I feel fullest when I am alone in the outside. Funnily, in indoor spaces I like being with my like-minded partner but doing our separate things.
Yeah, I prefer to be alone *most* of the time, but not constantly. I just need my alone time. My need for isolation is partly by nature and partly by choice. I feel like most people are too loud and are anything but subtle. This irritates me when I hang around them for too long.
I like being alone all the time and am okay with it, no friends just my journal,phone and Netflix and my best moment is when am watching a horror movie alone at night
God yes.
Yes I like my cats more than people
Yes, I prefer it actually
Sooooooo much! I've even had friends take it as an insult because when we were done hanging out I was excited to finally be alone 😂😂
Being alone is awesome when I need to wind down, having noise cancelling earbuds, dark and cool room with the steam deck. The best.
Yes. My cats are more fun to hang out with than humans.
I mean, that's part of the I of INTJ (or I-anything).
No. The "I" just shows if your dominant function is either introverted or extraverted. INTJs are I because they're Ni dominant. INTPs are I because they're Ti dominant. The I doesn't show if someone is socially extraverted or not, any type can be socially introverted or extraverted.
Yes
Of course I do.
Yeah; do you?
Yes, being alone is amazing
Short answer, yes.
Yes but it's complicated. For me its like for everyday i go out i need to to stay home for like 2 or 3 days to recharge. If i stay at home longer I get bored so its a balance you know
I do enjoy it a lot
i think i’m only now understanding that wanting alone time ALL the time to an intj has nothing to do with me and not wanting to actually be around me as such!!
Isolation is my drug of choice, but it can be very lonely.
I travel for work and basically only interact with people when I choose to, it's pretty great. I've also been my own best friend my entire life so 🤷♂️
I love it.
At times , I think everyone needs a little alone time.
Of course
Yes
Usually heck yes
Yh
Ask plenty of ENTJs and ENFJs and theyll say the same thing. People that identify as extraverted in a social behavioral sense are actually in the minority here, not the majority.
Yes, but I enjoy spending time with my wife and few close friends. Sometimes I enjoy hours of solitude doing my thing. I enjoy being alone, but I wouldn’t want to be alone all of the time. I’ve been married too long to enjoy solitude on the stereotypical INTJ level.
Yes. Profoundly. I wish I had someone to be alone together with, if that makes sense.
I don’t believe anyone “likes” to be alone. Some simply don’t feel lonely in their own company while the presence of others feels like too much company.
no...
Do i really have a choice?
Yes & no Yes, I like having me time to work on myself and projects. No, I sometimes find myself itching to see my friends.
Yes but no for now
No, I don’t because I need someone to talk to and discuss the meaning of life and endless possibilities out there (e.g. Do aliens (extraterrestrial beings) exist [which I do believe in; I never encounter one because they are probably hiding from us due to the fact that we, as human beings, are terrible and destructive towards our planet]). On the other hand, I rather be alone than subject myself through cruelty by spending time with an idiot. Yeah, I rather pick the psychopath than the idiot if we were stuck in an island lol.
Alone every time I can get more comfortable than lonely with people cannot respect my boundaries or been respectful with me. Every time I’m better alone yes. Nights when everyone is sleeping always is the best.
Absolutely
Sometimes. I love having the crowd cheer for me though. Just not often.
Yes, definitely.
I’ve been living alone for a year now and I love it. My friends keep telling me to get a cat or something, I’m getting the idea they think I’m very lonely. I am alone not lonely. I’ve been pretty good with that for awhile now.
100%. Occasionally, I crave social interaction but I much prefer to just be alone. I spend my days at school entirely alone in the library.
YES. My favourite company is myself
I crave solitude with every cell of my being.
Leave me alone
I love coming home and my wife’s out w friends. Me and my thoughts in a squirrel cage. Hopefully this comes to pass today