Being a student at a very small women's college, you spend a lot of time with the same people – especially if you're in the theatre program. We spend approximately nine hours in class together each day and then another five hours of rehearsal together each night. That adds up to fourteen hours A DAY with the same exact people. Some may think that's insane but I love it! Being around the people you love, doing the thing you love, is amazing. That being said, after those fourteen hours are up, I really don't need to spend any more time around people. After getting up at 6:45a.m. and being gone until 10pm, I want to go lay in my bed in peace. But guess what? That doesn't make me antisocial. Neither does staying in and enjoying a relaxing evening instead of partying or going to bed at a decent time rather than staying up all night with friends.
Being called antisocial is honestly one of the most frustrating things I've had to deal with from my friends. Because not only is it rude, it's not true! I am someone who loves people but doesn't thrives off of being alone. I'm an extroverted introvert. I love to spend time with my friends but I also really love laying in bed, drinking a cup of tea and watching Youtube vlogs and Netflix. I enjoy being in a calm, quiet environment because I get really bad anxiety if I'm surrounded by swarms of loud people. Not only does it help me to relax but I also feel most motivated and focused when I'm by myself. Being alone is good for your soul!
As I've mentioned, I get bad anxiety when I'm surrounded by groups of loud people... therefore, parties make me anxious. Not only that, but the parties that most of my friends want to go to, are not for me. I'm not into going to frat parties or parties with people I don't know. Everyone's constantly bothering me to go out and after 50 times of saying no, it gets annoying and you stop wanting to associate with those people. That being said, sometimes I do say yes! If it's the right group of people, I'll probably go. But if I do say no, please just let it go. Partying is NOT for everyone. Not everyone likes sweaty groups of 100 people crowded around them. Please don't harass your friends into feeling bad for not going.
It's okay to not want to go out. It's okay to want to go out. It's okay to want to stay up all night and hang out with friends. It's okay to want to sleep. It's okay that they thrive off of human interaction and it's okay that they thrive off of being alone. It's NOT okay to be judgmental and make someone feel bad for taking care of their needs and wants. I'm not antisocial. I'm happy.
