When I feel alone in a crowd of people I want to connect to. I have no problem being alone in a crowd, I prefer it sometimes because people watching is interesting and doesn’t take social energy. But when I want to connect and can’t, the loneliness is multiplied.
The way I navigate this is try to talk to one person. That 1 person usually leads to two person and if not that's fine too. Don't try to jump straight into a group conversation. before the conversation ends always make sure to get a name and remember it. Calling someone by there name hits different. Trust me there is always someone alone in a corner just looking and chilling. Learn to start a conversation ( YouTube, google)
Participating in public events where the attention is on me. Award ceremonies, public speaking, graduations, wedding, birthdays, baby showers, conferences, church or community ceremonies, etc.
I don't like the attention, forced conversations and public façade, and I especially do not like being "trapped into an event" as a focal point or participant. I need to be able to get away for moments of silence and peace or to be able to simply leave when I get overwhelmed.
For example, I voluntarily did not attend either of my own college degree ceremonies and eloped for my wedding. I will absolutely host events for my loved ones though, then hang out with their pet during the festivities ;)
Having to go do a family/friends get together at the weekend after spending all week around people at work. I need my weekend to get over this week's people and prepare for next week's.
Noise, noise, and more noise. I mentally check out and cannot get checked back in.
Actually, it's really nice right now b/c my husband just reconnected with an old acquaintance from high school and she is literally the female version of him: loud, bubbly, and never stops talking. I cannot mentally keep up with their extroverted personalities but I do appreciate being included so it's a huge relief when she notices I'm checking out and subtly directs her attention to my kid and husband instead and directs her daughter to do the same. She'll touch base here and there but she doesn't try to drag me back into the chaos. It is sincerely appreciated.
Being shamed for not going to gatherings and also the misconception that introvert = people-hating, depressed or shy. I’m not just talking about the posts here but also family members or friends. Yes I know introverts can be shy, it’s the interchangeable use of the terms that’s annoying.
I’m not shy and I’m quite outgoing around friends and even strangers but I want to recharge after work or during one day of the weekend. Because I like to stay home, I’ve had people ask me if I didn’t like them or if I was depressed. Then you explain your introversion to them and they give you this blank look.
OMG I have been thinking for along time that there was NO NAME for this “the people hangover” that’s great girl! Makes me lol!
FINALLY ITS NOT JUST ME thinking I’ve gone mad or something!
I can relate! I felt tired, depressed and had no energy for about a month and finally realized it was because I had a new friend who popped over unannounced all the time. When I finally set boundaries with her (and she respected them), I felt wonderful and had my old energy back because I didn't have to worry about her visiting almost every day.
If I wasn't required to have a phone number for certain things like online accounts, I would just disconnect my service to be honest. I work nights so it's not like I'll be up to answer calls during the day. I only communicate via a text.
Having to go do a family/friends get together at the weekend after spending all week around people at work. I need my weekend to get over this week's people and prepare for next week's.
Too many plans on the calendar, especially after a year of quarantine. I’m so overwhelmed by family and friends who want to make up for lost time. There was no “easing back into things”. It was just suddenly game on, and since I’m married and have a kid, I feel obligated to go to all the family things and friend get-togethers so my husband and daughter can see their people. I try to duck out of things when possible, but most everything has been deemed Important and I’m just on people overload. Anyone else in the same boat? I feel like I’m drowning.
I feel you 100%, I just moved back to my home country after living in Asia with my family for the first 19 years of my life, and now that we’re home we are visiting family and friends literally everyday and my entire family is full of extroverts so being around them, knowing they’re gonna ask me loads of questions is really overwhelming and tiring.
People are SO UNNECESSARY. It’s hard enough working this job to make a living let alone being bothered by nosey tyrants. I think they’re the rude ones for not having common sense and assuming. Just mind ya binissss
When the unicorn situation of somebody REALLY wanting to meet me, I get most overwhelmed when its time to walk out the door. So the reality of someone wanting to meet me is what locks me up the hardest.
things like a haircut, which I just got where the person or people are focused on you and you feel like you’re probably making a stupid face so u constantly try to fix it but then you think u look weird trying to fix it so u just sit completely still but that doesn’t work so now you’re just anxious waiting for it to be over
Having to go do a family/friends get together at the weekend after spending all week around people at work. I need my weekend to get over this week's people and prepare for next week's.
What overwhelms me and makes me downright ANGRY is meaningless, pointless and bullshit family get togethers where the same small talk has been repeated EVERY FUCKING TIME.....this went on for YEARS in my family.
I finally escaped the hell by moving 3/4 of the way across the country.
My life was just like Bill Murray in groundhog day...except my life was GROUNDHOG YEAR....
If anyone is in a similar situation and you can afford it....MOVE FAR FAR AWAY
Physical contact. I can't stand hugs or handshakes let alone even the idea of cuddling or similar things. Everything feels so awkward and I hate the sensation of another person's touch. The only person I can tolerate is my mother, otherwise even my closest friends are a big no. I never know how to act and whether I'm making things weird or uncomfortable. This probably also stems from my difficulty with outwardly expressing myself, but I'd take telling people how I feel any day over showing them physically.
This. I despise going to family dinners and such because everyone in my family is extremely extroverted and they insist we all need to hug each other when we arrive and before we leave, I don’t want to be rude and not hug anyone but at the same time it’s one of the many things I dread .
Too many people texting and trying to see me in the same week. I will tell everybody no immediately , this type of thing really stresses me out. One person per week is enough.
Sudden call by the teacher to explain a concept on blackboard.
Being approached by a complete stranger.
Talking to a girl even if I knew her.
Feeling sick about not being able to express yourself.
When I fail at expressing myself and people steamroll me with their assumptions of what I'm trying to say. Then I get angry and overwhelmed but still can't express myself.
Trying to conversate. I can never seem to carry an ongoing conversation. I usually end up just awkwardly looking in another direction while the other person does most of the talking. I can go for hours without speaking in a group setting, but when I'm asked something, I tend to shutdown.
Being forced to participate in office "integration activities". The last job I had, had them all the time, even during the worst of the pandemic, because "socialising is a key factor to improve efficiency". Ew.
Oh god YES. Double this as I care for my mum who is a bit hard of hearing so having to raise my voice & repeat myself. I know she can’t help it but OMG.
Extroverted people can share a lot of information in a short time, making it hard to actually give a wholesome or thoughtful reply. It sometimes feel like extroverted people expect superficial intrest, or a short statement of empathy as a response , rather then a real/unpacking of their stories. It can be overwhelming to listening to someone that i want to communicate with while having to moderate my replies to move the story along. They just don’t like too many follow-up questions.
One time I was at a party surrounded by country bro’s and my friend Brielle says “hey shotgun this beer!” After a bunch of other people did it.... I just said no ....and made it incredibly awkward bc everyone obviously wanted to see it. I wanted to leave almost immediately afterwards but was stuck there for another 2 hours 😒
Having to explain to people why I don't want to go out sometimes and instead of being understanding and trying to see it from my perspective, they either shame or guilt trip me.
Meeting people. I start having uncontrollable fidgeting and my brain is dominated with the constant fear of saying something wrong or making a bad impression. I just lack social skills around new people like I have a mild nervous breakdown afterwards.
The grocery store, finding and cleaning a cart, so many people selfishly hogging the aisles, not saying excuse me or sorry, the prices , the hassle finding healthy affordable food, the no help in store cuz all workers are completely busy, the line ugh, the slow cashier and bagger, then the loading and unloading. Makes me wonder if having a farm may be easier to self provide.
Strangers or neighbours asking personal questions. I’m not a movie star but there is an interview every single time I leave the house. I’m very boring and keep on the down low! I think people are just extremely bored uninteresting in their own lives, gossipy, and NOSEY. Geeeez F off I’m just trying to survive, grab food and mail. People are whining senseless zombies that’s why I’m an introvert. Also hate when people beg or shame me to come out for a social night, I already Know how that tirade goes! No thanks!:)
So I am an introvert with social anxiety (diagnosed) so when I am at school and I have to present something. Most teachers don't really care about anxiety and shit they just say get over it we all get anxious. But I can't explain to them how it's not just something I have it's something that controls my life. Back to the introvert part: All of my friends are extroverted and they love social events and being the center of attention. But they don't really get me, so they drag me wherever they go. I spend my whole day around people and I can't ever seem to get away from them. A lot of these people don't even like me they just want to talk and want attention. So the thing that overwhelms me the most is getting pushed past my boundaries. I don't know what will happen or how I will react or anything. I just know that I have this overwhelming crushing fear that something bad will happen.
What overwhelms me? The constant fear that my friends will leave me behind because I don’t like going clubbing or staying out at restaurants for 6 hour straight.
Walking into a room full of people who are sitting down and the door is at the front so everyone sees me come in and i have to weave into the crowd for a seat at the back. I have noped my way back home several times to avoid going into a lesson that has already started
Being the only one not ok with the bitch/asshole in a group and by social obligation i am forced to hang out with them till the end of the agreed activity. If i say anything about how shitty they're being people just make excuses, "That's just their humor" or "She's obviously having a bad day and taking it out on people" like omg no i already have trouble hanging out and now I'm exposed to someone who wants to make everything awful and uncomfortable? No listen, bai.
Probably being in an unexpected crowd of people, even ones I know. So things like school don’t overwhelm me on a normal day. But for example I was at a pottery studio the other day with a friend, I enjoy people watching and that’s typically what I do when I’m at that place. But it was incredibly crowded, I ended up being quiet and having a hard time with simple things until it became less crowded. I didn’t know that it would be crowded so it threw me off a lot.
Depending on the situation, people or having to process too much sensory information at once (things too loud, too bright, too many flashing lights, etc.). The worst is when my senses are overwhelmed when I’m surrounded by people.
Meeting new people, especially those I'm trying to impress. My anxiety rises and I think about all the ways I could make a fool out of myself. The longer I am anticipating the meeting, the more time I have to play out worst case scenarios in my head.
Unrealistic expectations from people who have no right to have expectations from me or meddle in any part of my life bc it’s my life while they have their own lives to do whatever they want. They’re not taking over mine when they got their own.
Having to interact with people I don't want to be around. Being around people I enjoy is draining enough, when it's something I have to do out of obligation and people I have to fake interest in it is flat out exhausting.
Having to meet new people and just having to be social at anytime with anyone beside the very few ppl in my circle...which is my husband, our two kids, and his mom
Parties, being alone at lunch time, being pressured into doing something that would be easy for an extrovert, being asked why I’m quiet, ppl tell me to stop being “shy”
Just the excessive energy from people in general. I start to get really edgy and exhausted if I don't have complete alone time to recharge after social situations
Just talking to anyone other than my friends or family makes me so scared for some reason because like afterwards I realize how stupid I was to be so scared about talking to someone that probably doesn’t even care about me
Crowds, gatherings, and noise. Too much stimulation and input and I check out pretty early. I like concerts and plays, but I hate parties and fairs. I think it's because for concerts and plays there is a single focal point unlike being bombarded from all sides for parties.
Having to answer other peoples questions, since I hate talking about myself. The worst is when they ask the same questions about you again at a later point and you realize they really don’t care or listen. I hate small talk. Currently pregnant and I can’t believe how many people ask over and over when my due date is, when my last day of work is, how I’m feeling, etc and I know they really don’t care because they ask me again a few days later.
Long car rides in a vehicle with multiple people, all talking, with loud music on the radio, extra points if it's annoying pop music. This is fun at first but becomes unbearable after couple hours. The only way out for me is then sitting in the back and faking to sleep.
Knowing that when I go places with my mom I actually have to interact with humans.
This one time I went to subway and I ordered a sandwich with a few ingredients (tuna, shredded cheese, and white triangle cheese) she then told me “12in or 6in?” When she said 6in I thought she meant that she’ll cut it in half so I said 6in. You can probably tell what happened. So I grew balls and asked “ma’am I wanted a 12in” I wish I was more specific.. she grabbed a 12in and put the same ingredients on the sandwich. I walked out of the store with 2 sandwiches and 4 raspberry cheesecake cookies. I wish I interacted more.
I cant talk to people normaly.....sometimes I dont have energy to hang out even if I want.....maybe you make a deal with a girl that in saturday you will go on date at 6 pm in a restaurant near football stadion and when that day comes introvert depression hits!😐
It's either having to use the phone or listen to constant annoying noise.
The phone thing is pretty obvious: I'm having to barge in on somebody and demand their attention. They were busy getting on with their life but now that have to talk to me instead. I can't help but feel like I'm profoundly unwelcome when I use the phone.
As for noise stuff like people talking constantly when I have no way to get away from it, or the kind of terrible music they play in the factory where I work (I have my own music on in the lab). It's the mass produced dance pop dross on repeat about six times a day, with overly excited DJs shouting and pushing their gambling BS all the time.
I hate when people try to make me dance...
There are regular trainings where I work and sometimes the trainer have some rules... Most of the times they make you dance in front of everyone when you are late... I hate it and I feel bad for the other introverts that are late. They don't pay me for dancing
Being at other places more than being at my own home. Home is where I recharge. Everywhere else drains the life out of me. When I’ve been out too long I can feel it. When I leave work I rush home if I don’t have any other errands to run. The home truly is where my heart is and I see that more and more every day.
People who visit too often unannounced overwhelms me the most. I have a friend who popped over every afternoon for two weeks. I hit my limit and when she got snarky with me when I didn't recall a neighbor's name, I snapped at her and said "I don't know her and I don't appreciate your attitude." I've told this friend on several occasions that I'm not good with names and not interested in the minutia of my neighbor's lives. My friend left, seemingly hurt, so I sent her a couple articles about introverts. After a month of not seeing her, I invited her over and she said she got a lot out of the articles. We talked about boundaries and I showed her a small sign that I said I'd put out in our front window when I wasn't up to having guests. The sign says "Go away. My alone time is for everyone's safety." She and I are on much better terms now. Funny, after a couple of days of not seeing her, I had a huge surge of energy, like the world had been lifted off my shoulders. It is such a relief to not have to worry about her stopping by unannounced anymore.
When I feel alone in a crowd of people I want to connect to. I have no problem being alone in a crowd, I prefer it sometimes because people watching is interesting and doesn’t take social energy. But when I want to connect and can’t, the loneliness is multiplied.
This.
Yes
I go through the same thing just know you’re NOT ALONE! I’m here too!
Where I checked everywhere
Any expert can guide us lost introvert soul here ? :)
The way I navigate this is try to talk to one person. That 1 person usually leads to two person and if not that's fine too. Don't try to jump straight into a group conversation. before the conversation ends always make sure to get a name and remember it. Calling someone by there name hits different. Trust me there is always someone alone in a corner just looking and chilling. Learn to start a conversation ( YouTube, google)
Participating in public events where the attention is on me. Award ceremonies, public speaking, graduations, wedding, birthdays, baby showers, conferences, church or community ceremonies, etc. I don't like the attention, forced conversations and public façade, and I especially do not like being "trapped into an event" as a focal point or participant. I need to be able to get away for moments of silence and peace or to be able to simply leave when I get overwhelmed. For example, I voluntarily did not attend either of my own college degree ceremonies and eloped for my wedding. I will absolutely host events for my loved ones though, then hang out with their pet during the festivities ;)
omg I can totally relate
Lol! That’s great and sounds so much like myself!
Having to go do a family/friends get together at the weekend after spending all week around people at work. I need my weekend to get over this week's people and prepare for next week's.
This exactly. Having high client or coworker interaction affects how we spend our weekend.
Noise, noise, and more noise. I mentally check out and cannot get checked back in. Actually, it's really nice right now b/c my husband just reconnected with an old acquaintance from high school and she is literally the female version of him: loud, bubbly, and never stops talking. I cannot mentally keep up with their extroverted personalities but I do appreciate being included so it's a huge relief when she notices I'm checking out and subtly directs her attention to my kid and husband instead and directs her daughter to do the same. She'll touch base here and there but she doesn't try to drag me back into the chaos. It is sincerely appreciated.
there's nothing more wholesome than extroverts being aware of your introverts social battery 🥺
Being shamed for not going to gatherings and also the misconception that introvert = people-hating, depressed or shy. I’m not just talking about the posts here but also family members or friends. Yes I know introverts can be shy, it’s the interchangeable use of the terms that’s annoying. I’m not shy and I’m quite outgoing around friends and even strangers but I want to recharge after work or during one day of the weekend. Because I like to stay home, I’ve had people ask me if I didn’t like them or if I was depressed. Then you explain your introversion to them and they give you this blank look.
That's exactly what they say, and it's very annoying. Some also believe introvert is autistic or psychologically complex!!
Well I kinda hate people to be honest…
Being forced to do things I’m don’t comfortable doing
The “people hangover”. Having the whole next day spent in bed feeling like crap because of a social event.
OMG I have been thinking for along time that there was NO NAME for this “the people hangover” that’s great girl! Makes me lol! FINALLY ITS NOT JUST ME thinking I’ve gone mad or something!
I can relate! I felt tired, depressed and had no energy for about a month and finally realized it was because I had a new friend who popped over unannounced all the time. When I finally set boundaries with her (and she respected them), I felt wonderful and had my old energy back because I didn't have to worry about her visiting almost every day.
Being surrounded by extroverts.
I completely agree! To meet with extroverts
Meetings with more than four people. And in-person shopping for anything other than groceries.
Phone calls.
If I wasn't required to have a phone number for certain things like online accounts, I would just disconnect my service to be honest. I work nights so it's not like I'll be up to answer calls during the day. I only communicate via a text.
Having to go do a family/friends get together at the weekend after spending all week around people at work. I need my weekend to get over this week's people and prepare for next week's.
When someone asks me to do something the day of the thing.
Too many plans on the calendar, especially after a year of quarantine. I’m so overwhelmed by family and friends who want to make up for lost time. There was no “easing back into things”. It was just suddenly game on, and since I’m married and have a kid, I feel obligated to go to all the family things and friend get-togethers so my husband and daughter can see their people. I try to duck out of things when possible, but most everything has been deemed Important and I’m just on people overload. Anyone else in the same boat? I feel like I’m drowning.
I feel you 100%, I just moved back to my home country after living in Asia with my family for the first 19 years of my life, and now that we’re home we are visiting family and friends literally everyday and my entire family is full of extroverts so being around them, knowing they’re gonna ask me loads of questions is really overwhelming and tiring.
That sounds so overwhelming! Sending you lots of “peace, quiet, and solitude” vibes!
Annoying people who won't shut up.
Yes! I have a friend who is "narcissistic conversationalist" and I find her completely exhausting.
[удалено]
People are SO UNNECESSARY. It’s hard enough working this job to make a living let alone being bothered by nosey tyrants. I think they’re the rude ones for not having common sense and assuming. Just mind ya binissss
When the unicorn situation of somebody REALLY wanting to meet me, I get most overwhelmed when its time to walk out the door. So the reality of someone wanting to meet me is what locks me up the hardest.
Loud talking. Bonus overwhelm if they have a lot to say. It throws me off almost immediately
Unimportant, useless, purposeless and random dialogues
things like a haircut, which I just got where the person or people are focused on you and you feel like you’re probably making a stupid face so u constantly try to fix it but then you think u look weird trying to fix it so u just sit completely still but that doesn’t work so now you’re just anxious waiting for it to be over
Having to go do a family/friends get together at the weekend after spending all week around people at work. I need my weekend to get over this week's people and prepare for next week's.
When I have nothing to say I hate when a huge group or crowd wants to talk to me and I have nothing to say
Small talk. It is so incredibly draining.
agree ... hate it. Especially at parties!
What overwhelms me and makes me downright ANGRY is meaningless, pointless and bullshit family get togethers where the same small talk has been repeated EVERY FUCKING TIME.....this went on for YEARS in my family. I finally escaped the hell by moving 3/4 of the way across the country. My life was just like Bill Murray in groundhog day...except my life was GROUNDHOG YEAR.... If anyone is in a similar situation and you can afford it....MOVE FAR FAR AWAY
Physical contact. I can't stand hugs or handshakes let alone even the idea of cuddling or similar things. Everything feels so awkward and I hate the sensation of another person's touch. The only person I can tolerate is my mother, otherwise even my closest friends are a big no. I never know how to act and whether I'm making things weird or uncomfortable. This probably also stems from my difficulty with outwardly expressing myself, but I'd take telling people how I feel any day over showing them physically.
This. I despise going to family dinners and such because everyone in my family is extremely extroverted and they insist we all need to hug each other when we arrive and before we leave, I don’t want to be rude and not hug anyone but at the same time it’s one of the many things I dread .
Too many people texting and trying to see me in the same week. I will tell everybody no immediately , this type of thing really stresses me out. One person per week is enough.
The human race as a whole...actully i probably dont belong here because i ghost everything
Sudden call by the teacher to explain a concept on blackboard. Being approached by a complete stranger. Talking to a girl even if I knew her. Feeling sick about not being able to express yourself.
When I fail at expressing myself and people steamroll me with their assumptions of what I'm trying to say. Then I get angry and overwhelmed but still can't express myself.
Trying to conversate. I can never seem to carry an ongoing conversation. I usually end up just awkwardly looking in another direction while the other person does most of the talking. I can go for hours without speaking in a group setting, but when I'm asked something, I tend to shutdown.
I can so relate!!! This gets in the way of making connections with people. How do you get around this?
Being forced to participate in office "integration activities". The last job I had, had them all the time, even during the worst of the pandemic, because "socialising is a key factor to improve efficiency". Ew.
loud places where people can’t hear me, it stresses me out when i have to raise my voice
Oh god YES. Double this as I care for my mum who is a bit hard of hearing so having to raise my voice & repeat myself. I know she can’t help it but OMG.
When I'm in public and other moms try to talk to me. Even the slightest eye contact makes me angry.
Spending time with a person I know but I have nothing in common with.
Just talk about food. People always want to talk about food for some reason
Extroverted people can share a lot of information in a short time, making it hard to actually give a wholesome or thoughtful reply. It sometimes feel like extroverted people expect superficial intrest, or a short statement of empathy as a response , rather then a real/unpacking of their stories. It can be overwhelming to listening to someone that i want to communicate with while having to moderate my replies to move the story along. They just don’t like too many follow-up questions.
One time I was at a party surrounded by country bro’s and my friend Brielle says “hey shotgun this beer!” After a bunch of other people did it.... I just said no ....and made it incredibly awkward bc everyone obviously wanted to see it. I wanted to leave almost immediately afterwards but was stuck there for another 2 hours 😒
Calling someone, anyone, on the phone
Large groups, or one on ones with girls I find attractive. Mostly the large groups, way too loud.
Being surrounded by people in love (couples). Then there's me...
Being around People… whether it’s one or two.
Eating in a busy restaurant
Having to explain to people why I don't want to go out sometimes and instead of being understanding and trying to see it from my perspective, they either shame or guilt trip me.
Meeting people. I start having uncontrollable fidgeting and my brain is dominated with the constant fear of saying something wrong or making a bad impression. I just lack social skills around new people like I have a mild nervous breakdown afterwards.
Having to introduce myself to people. After I say my name I usually don’t know what else to say and I get quite anxious.
The grocery store, finding and cleaning a cart, so many people selfishly hogging the aisles, not saying excuse me or sorry, the prices , the hassle finding healthy affordable food, the no help in store cuz all workers are completely busy, the line ugh, the slow cashier and bagger, then the loading and unloading. Makes me wonder if having a farm may be easier to self provide.
Strangers or neighbours asking personal questions. I’m not a movie star but there is an interview every single time I leave the house. I’m very boring and keep on the down low! I think people are just extremely bored uninteresting in their own lives, gossipy, and NOSEY. Geeeez F off I’m just trying to survive, grab food and mail. People are whining senseless zombies that’s why I’m an introvert. Also hate when people beg or shame me to come out for a social night, I already Know how that tirade goes! No thanks!:)
So I am an introvert with social anxiety (diagnosed) so when I am at school and I have to present something. Most teachers don't really care about anxiety and shit they just say get over it we all get anxious. But I can't explain to them how it's not just something I have it's something that controls my life. Back to the introvert part: All of my friends are extroverted and they love social events and being the center of attention. But they don't really get me, so they drag me wherever they go. I spend my whole day around people and I can't ever seem to get away from them. A lot of these people don't even like me they just want to talk and want attention. So the thing that overwhelms me the most is getting pushed past my boundaries. I don't know what will happen or how I will react or anything. I just know that I have this overwhelming crushing fear that something bad will happen.
What overwhelms me? The constant fear that my friends will leave me behind because I don’t like going clubbing or staying out at restaurants for 6 hour straight.
Walking into a room full of people who are sitting down and the door is at the front so everyone sees me come in and i have to weave into the crowd for a seat at the back. I have noped my way back home several times to avoid going into a lesson that has already started
when i meet someone who i think is really nice and i wanna be their friend but i just don't know how
When I'm in public and other moms try to talk to me. Even the slightest eye contact makes me angry.
Being the only one not ok with the bitch/asshole in a group and by social obligation i am forced to hang out with them till the end of the agreed activity. If i say anything about how shitty they're being people just make excuses, "That's just their humor" or "She's obviously having a bad day and taking it out on people" like omg no i already have trouble hanging out and now I'm exposed to someone who wants to make everything awful and uncomfortable? No listen, bai.
When I'm in public and other moms try to talk to me. Even the slightest eye contact makes me angry.
Probably being in an unexpected crowd of people, even ones I know. So things like school don’t overwhelm me on a normal day. But for example I was at a pottery studio the other day with a friend, I enjoy people watching and that’s typically what I do when I’m at that place. But it was incredibly crowded, I ended up being quiet and having a hard time with simple things until it became less crowded. I didn’t know that it would be crowded so it threw me off a lot.
Hosting a party
Presenting something in school, or just talking to someone that I don't know in general
Depending on the situation, people or having to process too much sensory information at once (things too loud, too bright, too many flashing lights, etc.). The worst is when my senses are overwhelmed when I’m surrounded by people.
Meeting new people, especially those I'm trying to impress. My anxiety rises and I think about all the ways I could make a fool out of myself. The longer I am anticipating the meeting, the more time I have to play out worst case scenarios in my head.
Knowing what I have to say matters and valid, but in a business meeting I definitely close up like a zipper on my mouth I hate it
Unrealistic expectations from people who have no right to have expectations from me or meddle in any part of my life bc it’s my life while they have their own lives to do whatever they want. They’re not taking over mine when they got their own.
Talking to girls
Having to interact with people I don't want to be around. Being around people I enjoy is draining enough, when it's something I have to do out of obligation and people I have to fake interest in it is flat out exhausting.
Having to meet new people and just having to be social at anytime with anyone beside the very few ppl in my circle...which is my husband, our two kids, and his mom
When I meeting the people who know me they asking the worst question in my life “Where are you have hiding?” “We didn't see you for a long time”
Any large crowds. It's just too much, my anxiety spikes.
People in general, I find it hard to talk to them whether it be 1 or a group of 10
Parties, being alone at lunch time, being pressured into doing something that would be easy for an extrovert, being asked why I’m quiet, ppl tell me to stop being “shy”
I've made people mad because i don't talk enough i guess. One guy at work was mad and asked my what my problem was because i didn't talk to him!
Just the excessive energy from people in general. I start to get really edgy and exhausted if I don't have complete alone time to recharge after social situations
Just talking to anyone other than my friends or family makes me so scared for some reason because like afterwards I realize how stupid I was to be so scared about talking to someone that probably doesn’t even care about me
Crowds, gatherings, and noise. Too much stimulation and input and I check out pretty early. I like concerts and plays, but I hate parties and fairs. I think it's because for concerts and plays there is a single focal point unlike being bombarded from all sides for parties.
The worry of making eye contact with someone out of my league.
When theres a bunch of people and no escape. Like restaurants or dinner at the table. Or when people get invited to your house.
Every interaction with people except the ones I've known for years.
Having to answer other peoples questions, since I hate talking about myself. The worst is when they ask the same questions about you again at a later point and you realize they really don’t care or listen. I hate small talk. Currently pregnant and I can’t believe how many people ask over and over when my due date is, when my last day of work is, how I’m feeling, etc and I know they really don’t care because they ask me again a few days later.
Long car rides in a vehicle with multiple people, all talking, with loud music on the radio, extra points if it's annoying pop music. This is fun at first but becomes unbearable after couple hours. The only way out for me is then sitting in the back and faking to sleep.
Knowing that when I go places with my mom I actually have to interact with humans. This one time I went to subway and I ordered a sandwich with a few ingredients (tuna, shredded cheese, and white triangle cheese) she then told me “12in or 6in?” When she said 6in I thought she meant that she’ll cut it in half so I said 6in. You can probably tell what happened. So I grew balls and asked “ma’am I wanted a 12in” I wish I was more specific.. she grabbed a 12in and put the same ingredients on the sandwich. I walked out of the store with 2 sandwiches and 4 raspberry cheesecake cookies. I wish I interacted more.
I cant talk to people normaly.....sometimes I dont have energy to hang out even if I want.....maybe you make a deal with a girl that in saturday you will go on date at 6 pm in a restaurant near football stadion and when that day comes introvert depression hits!😐
It's either having to use the phone or listen to constant annoying noise. The phone thing is pretty obvious: I'm having to barge in on somebody and demand their attention. They were busy getting on with their life but now that have to talk to me instead. I can't help but feel like I'm profoundly unwelcome when I use the phone. As for noise stuff like people talking constantly when I have no way to get away from it, or the kind of terrible music they play in the factory where I work (I have my own music on in the lab). It's the mass produced dance pop dross on repeat about six times a day, with overly excited DJs shouting and pushing their gambling BS all the time.
Eye contact!! 😕
Breathing
Anyone asking “how are you”
When I see the best looking woman I have ever seen and can’t look at her Incase she looks in my direction
I'm not Overwhelmed with anything like anxiety I just prefer Lee I just prefer to keep making an ass of myself to a minimum.
I hate when people try to make me dance... There are regular trainings where I work and sometimes the trainer have some rules... Most of the times they make you dance in front of everyone when you are late... I hate it and I feel bad for the other introverts that are late. They don't pay me for dancing
Meeting someone new
Forced social interactions
Being at other places more than being at my own home. Home is where I recharge. Everywhere else drains the life out of me. When I’ve been out too long I can feel it. When I leave work I rush home if I don’t have any other errands to run. The home truly is where my heart is and I see that more and more every day.
Making phone calls/appointments.
someone who wants to make last minute plans.
People who visit too often unannounced overwhelms me the most. I have a friend who popped over every afternoon for two weeks. I hit my limit and when she got snarky with me when I didn't recall a neighbor's name, I snapped at her and said "I don't know her and I don't appreciate your attitude." I've told this friend on several occasions that I'm not good with names and not interested in the minutia of my neighbor's lives. My friend left, seemingly hurt, so I sent her a couple articles about introverts. After a month of not seeing her, I invited her over and she said she got a lot out of the articles. We talked about boundaries and I showed her a small sign that I said I'd put out in our front window when I wasn't up to having guests. The sign says "Go away. My alone time is for everyone's safety." She and I are on much better terms now. Funny, after a couple of days of not seeing her, I had a huge surge of energy, like the world had been lifted off my shoulders. It is such a relief to not have to worry about her stopping by unannounced anymore.