 The view out my living room window. Being introverted in a predominantly extraverted world can be a challenge for someone like me...not only do I become easily overwhelmed and over-stimulated, but because I am never bored alone, others can feel neglected by me. So, in that vein I wanted to share a few things about myself, and this doesn't mean I don't love people, because I really do, but I need a lot of time and space.
1. I really don't enjoy public events...I wish I did because there are so many opportunities that sound fun but whenever I take part, I am absolutely exhausted and anxious afterwards. 2. I like to be home...driving tends to cause stress (even just to the city) and I don't care to go on vacations, unless I'm heading to the mountains with my family (refreshes my soul). I would like to see more of Canada and even just to get out and visit others but I really, really like being home, in my house or walking around my town. 3. I don't care for large groups...I enjoy a visit with a friend or two but more than that is overwhelming. Even gallery openings, which are lovely, leave me depleted for a week or two. Meetings can be very difficult for me...and oddly enough, I attend many. 4. I crave silence...which seems odd since I live near one of the busiest highways and airports in the country. It took me several years to get used to the sound. At least our home is surrounded by trees which means many, many birds, and I do love the sounds of nature. I don't even care for the phone to ring...unless it's my husband or our daughters. 5. I like to work independently...I don't need to be in a work environment to get things done. If I say I'll do it, I will. It's easy for me to keep busy and focused, in fact, sometimes I can be too focused and let everything else slide. But I try to see that as a strength. So please, please don't take it as an insult if I don't call or make plans with you...it's not personal. I just know what I need and, thankfully, my family understands that, too. Spending several hours alone in a room or in nature means I'm energizing my soul. At least I'm better than I was as a girl - then I couldn't barely speak with people I didn't know as I was painfully shy. I used to feel badly about these things and tried very hard to change but I wasn't happy. And now, I tend to believe that it is exactly these things about me that feeds my creativity and which makes it easy for me to complete a body of work. And it doesn't feel like work at all...just fun, uplifting and enriching for me. 4/14/2014 05:31:58 pm
Verna...the being okay with it seems to be an ongoing battle for me. At this age, I had hoped it would be easy already...
I feel for ya Veronica. It's taken many, many years for me to limit my external life. (and one of the reasons I so love the internet as I can mingle at my leisure). My husband and I compromise as he's the direct opposite, getting charged up by social engagements, rather than drained and depleted. 4/14/2014 05:35:22 pm
I know what you mean about the internet Jen...it's rather lovely isn't it? I'm fortunate that my husband is an even bigger introvert than I am so he's not my problem...I am, always feeling like I need to contribute more and yet, I feel like I contribute the most when I listen to my heart and stay home! 4/14/2014 10:18:02 am
I think I'm lucky that I am both an introvert and extrovert. Like you I love being at home. I crave the quiet when the house is empty and I can read my book, or work on my own. But I do like being with groups, and travel and meeting new people. I used to be terribly shy, but teaching changed all that. The main thing is to honour yourself. Your work is beautiful. 4/14/2014 05:37:41 pm
Barbara, I find that if I do a demo or teach I'm much better publicly as I'm happiest when I create. And I'm glad that I can't chat and be with others, I just wish it didn't drain me so. You're very lucky to have that balance. And thank you, you are so kind. Comments are closed.
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