Do you ever just want to crawl into your bed and not talk to anyone for a solid six hours?
Same here.
I wouldn't call myself antisocial by any means. Despite the initial awkwardness, I actually love meeting new people, making friends, and learning about experiences different than mine. However, there are some days where I just find myself completely burnt out after a day at school where I am constantly around others.
When this happens, it's time to recharge my social battery. I do this by simply spending time alone and, depending on how I'm feeling, not doing any recreational instant messaging. All this means is that I will always respond to responsibilities, someone needing to blow off steam, and other things that need my attention, but you won't catch me messaging anyone for a regular conversation.
On some days, I find myself completely overwhelmed when I have what seems like an endless amount of notifications pouring into my phone, so all I want to do is silence my phone and flip it over to have an out-of-sight, out-of-mind mentality. I realize this isn't always a possibility as an adult, so that's why I always try to set aside some time for myself. The last thing I want to do is get angry at people and things I care about when they just want to talk with me.
This is why having alone time is so important. I'd wager that even people who are more extroverted than myself have their own moments in which they need some space; there's absolutely no shame in it! For this reason, I am very much against the stigma that says it's pitiful to attend movies, eat at restaurants, and go to events by yourself. I'd say the only exception to this is making sure you won't be alone at a dangerous time and/or place, so please plan your solo dates accordingly and safely.
Having this requirement is who I am as a person. I need to socialize, but I also need time to "rest" afterward for my own sake. I've always been comfortable being alone, but it took me a long time and some awkward middle school years to learn that this is not a bad thing.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with myself.
