"Are you introverted or do you just not have any friends?" This may be a common question you get asked if you are that girl or guy that sits alone in the cafeteria. The answer depends on the day.
Most introverted people are shy and would rather keep to themselves. You still have friends but you are not the social butterfly who knows everyone. If someone comes to talk to you, you are thrilled, but you are not too fond of approaching others. You are the wallflower and that is OK.
Your friend has other friends, that you are not really friends with so you would rather just eat alone to avoid being out of the loop during table conversation. Or you just really are not up to sitting with a friend asking the same questions: "How was your day?", "Do you have much homework?", "What did you do over break?", "Oh did you hear about ...?" Sometimes they just get old after awhile. You automatically say you had a good day even if you did not. It does not necessarily mean you do not have friends, it just means you do but you do not want to be with them at that moment and that is OK.
Time in the cafeteria might be your you time. Time to plan your day, clear your mind, and reflect on the day. Or it might be the time where you call your loved ones and tell them how you are doing. Other times you are in a hurry to eat so you just do not have time to socialize, so you sit by yourself. Whatever it is, you want to be alone and that is OK.
Socializing is a great thing, but so is alone time. It does not matter where you spend your alone time just as long as you have it. Some people choose to spend their alone time eating in the cafeteria. The cafeteria is really a great place for me time. It may be full of hungry chattery young adults, but you can easily find an open table in the corner for your you time. Do not be afraid to sit alone and have your time, no one is judging you, at least I'm not.
