When the weekend comes, I like to hide from the public and spend time alone. This characteristic is perplexing to many people.
I don't dislike people, I just prefer to be away from them whenever I get the chance.
I "recharge" myself after a busy week by being alone in nature with my thoughts, a couple of beers, and a campfire. I perform my best creative and reflective thinking in such an environment. Many of my great ideas were born beside a fire, written down and sketched out in my notepad. One of my favorite Steemit posts, which I composed while camping, was: https://steemit.com/nature/@countryinspired/a-rejuvenating-night-camping-solo-in-the-woods
I can't help it. I feel most alive when I am secluded in nature.
This trait causes conflict, because I am married and have two young boys. A man cannot disappear into the woods for a whole weekend and expect his relationship with his wife and children to thrive. Therefore, in an effort to preserve my marriage and be a good father, I must extinguish my burning desire to always be alone in the woods. I sacrifice the activity that makes me feel whole in an effort to have a healthy family life. It certainly isn't an easy thing to do. It's like trying to domesticate a wild animal.
I know I am not alone. There are other introverts who share some of my feelings.
We tend to stay clear of crowded places. Tasks like going to the grocery store on a busy day seem daunting and overburdening. When we are in a large social setting, we are the ones who quietly observe other people rather than openly engage in conversations. We do not like crowded bars, long lines, or any activity that brings us in contact with multitudes of people. Even attending church can be difficult due to the associated social pressure.
Often times my quiet and reclusive nature has made people think I am an arrogant jerk. However, I consider myself very warm and friendly, and highly willing to engage in conversation. But I prefer a quiet setting, with no social pressure and background commotion. I believe this is why I enjoy Steemit so much! I get to engage with others without any pressure.
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Introverts have to find a balance in life.
We cannot go through life with no contact with the world. We have jobs and social functions that we cannot avoid. So we have to balance those uncomfortable times with our brief periods of respite. We have to find our quiet time whenever we can, and cherish those moments like the prized treasure they are.
So if you are introverted like me, stay strong and never feel ashamed. Although we stay hidden in the background, that doesn't mean we aren't doing great things with our lives!
I will conclude this post with an image of a humble campfire, where I find deep peace and protection from the crazy outside world.
