A peek into an introvert's weekend

 
I kind of feel like that Buzzfeed article on introverts that I posted last week changed my life a little bit. It's taken me from feeling like a total freak to feeling like I can just throw around a buzzword to explain my behavior. Although to be honest, since I began blogging almost 3 years ago (WOW), I've felt like much less of a freak because as my fellow bloggers know, blogging is where you find your people.
 
This weekend was characterized by intense introverted behavior and therefore resulted in no events interesting enough to photograph. So instead, I decided to illustrate by recycling old photographs from up to 5 years ago.
 
Friday was Eric's birthday. We were supposed to have a party and play a Sharknado drinking game and eat crabs. Sounds awesome, right?

Probably would have been just like this.

 
After four days of us both coming home stressed and overwhelmed about setting up our classrooms, Eric decided to cancel the party about 10pm Thursday night. In addition to having no time to throw a party together, he was like "I just really don't want to come home tomorrow and have people here".
 
I've long suspected, based on my reading, that Eric is a partial introvert. FYI, Buzzfeed and Wikipedia count as reading, I never claimed to be a psychologist here. We are extreme opposites in social situations. Eric has charisma that would make Oprah jealous and loves being the center of attention. I sit in faculty meetings at a school I've worked in for 8 years silently rehearsing the one sentence I want to share for ten minutes before I get up the courage to raise my hand (which is maybe 50% of the time). I'm completely comfortable with all my coworkers. Individually. Just not when they are all looking at me at the same time.  It's the same thing in grad school and I've had the same 20 people in every single class for 3 years now.

 

Perfect example: we do not know this woman. We do know that guy photobombing in the back though,

 
But, according to Wikipedia, the key is that introverts get energy from being alone, and lose energy in groups. It also said that extroverts should be teachers. I feel that would explain why I have an incredibly strong desire not to speak to a single person from the time I arrive home from work until the time I go to bed. Not every night, only like 90% of them.
 
So instead of partying, Eric stayed at work late, and I got kicked out of work (they had to wax the floors) and came home and ran 7 miles. I was brave enough to wear my Garmin and was actually under a 10:00 mile pace (9:45)!
 


The birthday boy

 
I did go get him his favorite wings and put candles in the container and sang to him as he came in the door. My dad was really sad to hear I didn't have pictures of that, but putting candles in Styrofoam is much more of a fire hazard than frosting, and required close monitoring and precise timing.
 

Here's a picture of him blowing out candles on the snickers cheesecake I made him 3 years ago.

 
Yes, if you've read between the lines here, that meant there was no cake to put any candles in, by birthday boy request. Going on a cruise is an amazing experience, but, here's a little warning. It's all fun and games when you're in international waters, having butter on everything and your third dessert that night. But when you come home fat the fun and games are over.
 
Saturday morning I did seek out a little human interaction and reunited with Lily for a morning run at the harbor and it was absolutely wonderful to have company. We did a half marathon at a 10:12 pace. It may have been crazy slow, but I haven't done a run over 7 miles since my 6 hour race an entire month ago, so seeing I still have the ability to knock out a double digit run was a huge confidence booster.
 
Saturday night I was supposed to meet my BFFs Carolyn and John (Eric had to work) to see an outdoor movie. Here's where even my introverted behavior gets embarrassing. As it got closer, I realized I didn't want to go for several reasons.
 
1. Driving
2. Being around people
3. Staying up late
4. Having to look presentable, or at least, appropriate for public consumption
5. Leaving the couch
6. It was a horror movie and I'm scared of horror movies and really hate watching them
 


Not sure I've ever actually stayed up for the late show.


 
Obviously this led to me canceling. At least it was a bestie so I knew I could just list the above reasons without judgment and not have to come up with some dumb ass excuse.
 


All alone. My happy place.



 

I'm pretty sure my Saturday night contained two of the greatest pleasures known to man. Getting in bed early, and not setting an alarm clock because you can stay there as long as you like in the morning. The key is that you get into bed early, but you don't feel that pressure of "OMG I NEED TO FALL ASLEEP ASAP" where you keep looking at the clock like "ok if I fall asleep now I'll get 6 hours. Ok now 5 and a half". You can stay up reading as late as you want, or do what I did and read one sentence about Jon Snow and pass out.
 

Sleeping is the best. PS no idea who's bed this is. If it's yours, please speak up.

Speaking of Jon Snow, you can thank Kari for this.


source

Since most commenters are fellow bloggers and therefore fellow crazy introverts, what's your most antisocial reason for canceling plans? And if you are an extrovert - what's that like?