It’s Friday night and you’ve already been invited to two parties. Meanwhile, back in your bedroom, Netflix and your favorite pair of sweats are calling your name. Secretly, you’re afraid of being labeled anti-social or a loner, so you go out anyway. You hang out with friends, have a few laughs and after a couple hours, the crowded room with music playing too loudly becomes too much. Back in August, Alessia Cara’s song “Here” rose its way to the top of the charts. Since then, its lyrics have given closet introverts everywhere a voice. Here are the thoughts of an introvert while out socializing.
"I'm sorry if I seem uninterested."
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I'm not trying to be rude, but this really isn't what I consider a good time.
"I ain't got no business here, but since my friends are here, I just came to kick it."
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Most introverts don't necessarily hang out exclusively with other introverts. A night in might sound great, but you make these sacrifices for the sake of your friends.
"Really, I would rather be at home all by myself. "[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F12%2F07%2F6358505948131478881186359173_introvert%25203.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=752&h=9ff10dce646ea0d9b785763fcd8787f30d29a46c6a361c81975e1f515f0c00d1&size=980x&c=4170259710 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F12%252F07%252F6358505948131478881186359173_introvert%2525203.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D752%26h%3D9ff10dce646ea0d9b785763fcd8787f30d29a46c6a361c81975e1f515f0c00d1%26size%3D980x%26c%3D4170259710%22%7D" expand=1]
Curling up with a book or Netflix sounds really good right now.
"Not in this room with people who don't even care about my well being."
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Pretty sure I only know the people I came here with...
"I don't dance, so don't ask. I don't need a
boyfriend."[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F12%2F07%2F635850601559856149594248073_introvert%25205.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=241&h=2832ccc4fe72ee164591975ee2d6b3e502c6cce4f63e21cc3b3ef6df1e64588e&size=980x&c=3580990249 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F12%252F07%252F635850601559856149594248073_introvert%2525205.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D241%26h%3D2832ccc4fe72ee164591975ee2d6b3e502c6cce4f63e21cc3b3ef6df1e64588e%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3580990249%22%7D" expand=1]
Me standing in a corner staring into blank space is not an invitation for you to come talk to me.
"Excuse me if I seem a little unimpressed with this..."
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"An 'antisocial pessimist,' but usually I don't mess with this."
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I'm not a loner or shy, and I'm not attempting to be rude. This is my personality, and believe it or not, this is me trying to be social.
"I know you mean only the best and your intentions aren't to bother me." [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F12%2F07%2F635850611842809241440134185_introvert%25208.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=622&h=5c56679e8c002c4d3df66a9ace9d0955013c99685450ec2d0b50a56a713279a5&size=980x&c=23667558 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F12%252F07%252F635850611842809241440134185_introvert%2525208.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D622%26h%3D5c56679e8c002c4d3df66a9ace9d0955013c99685450ec2d0b50a56a713279a5%26size%3D980x%26c%3D23667558%22%7D" expand=1]
I know it's healthy to get out and socialize, but there are other ways to hang out than at a party.
"Honestly, I'd rather be somewhere with my people we can kick and just listen to some music with a message (like we usually do) and we'll discuss our big dreams, how we plan to take over the planet."
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Because I'd take a few good friends over a room full of strangers any day.
"So pardon my manners."[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F12%2F07%2F635850616731371816-389439087_introvert%252010.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=403&h=1d9380793bd8e44b25412571bc58da01724e3d3d4a429877f35b887cfc9d899b&size=980x&c=3337807596 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F12%252F07%252F635850616731371816-389439087_introvert%25252010.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D403%26h%3D1d9380793bd8e44b25412571bc58da01724e3d3d4a429877f35b887cfc9d899b%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3337807596%22%7D" expand=1]
Again, I'm not trying to be rude, but what can you expect when I'm stuck here against my will?
"Oh God, why am I here?"[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F12%2F07%2F6358506194719912421156364033_Introvert%252011.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=292&h=ba8a654a673411e96685be3c8f0403f39bbe7f8dc61e432b9bcb695a59144f3d&size=980x&c=542507802 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F12%252F07%252F6358506194719912421156364033_Introvert%25252011.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D292%26h%3Dba8a654a673411e96685be3c8f0403f39bbe7f8dc61e432b9bcb695a59144f3d%26size%3D980x%26c%3D542507802%22%7D" expand=1]
It's been over an hour and I'm already socially exhausted from making small talk.
"How did it ever come to this? I should've never come to this." [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F12%2F07%2F6358506232172812748109564_introvert%252012.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=52&h=cfb34f4e50e49b41c968e8073c7e102560d681689c7bb77cf800514b0ccbc37d&size=980x&c=1042012824 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F12%252F07%252F6358506232172812748109564_introvert%25252012.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D52%26h%3Dcfb34f4e50e49b41c968e8073c7e102560d681689c7bb77cf800514b0ccbc37d%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1042012824%22%7D" expand=1]
Well, at least after tonight, I can avoid going out for a while again. This should count for a weekend or two, right?
"I'm stand-offish, don't want what you're offering."
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I'm not having fun, and the fact that I know I'm coming off as so unapproachable is making me feel even more insecure.
"I'm done talking." [rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F12%2F07%2F635850628947984038-2103978683_introvert%252014.gif&ho=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com&s=85&h=74889a883d32b14be7d6d3d443e04a62e543f8a7b2db5b8d56ad964e162976a9&size=980x&c=2559141298 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2015%252F12%252F07%252F635850628947984038-2103978683_introvert%25252014.gif%26ho%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcdn1.theodysseyonline.com%26s%3D85%26h%3D74889a883d32b14be7d6d3d443e04a62e543f8a7b2db5b8d56ad964e162976a9%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2559141298%22%7D" expand=1]
I've had a few hours of socialization and am ready to hide in my room for the rest of the week now.
"Tell my people that I'm ready when they're ready."
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I tried going out .I may have even enjoyed it for a little while. But in the end, I'm still the same person, and I can't wait until it's just me, my bed, and a pair of headphones. Goodnight, world.
