{all photos from a recent trip with friends to wine country}
I used to think I was an extrovert.
What I am discovering is that I am an introvert (AKA hermit) and an occasional extrovert (AKA party animal).
Every 2-4 months or so I will get together with friends here in the US.
Sometimes it is for business (teaching a class etc) and sometimes just for fun.
If you read my blog you might think I am extremely social, travel a ton and spend lots of times with friends.
The truth is that it really means I see a friend every 2-4 months.
Truth!
When I am home I like to be in my pajamas, do school with my kids, hang out with my family, make art, tinker with my house, drink too much coffee……
I think you get the picture.
I don’t leave home.
I have come to appreciate that I really love home.
Love my family.
Love running a business.
Love my pajamas (they are cute and from Anthro if that makes it any more acceptable).
When I get together with friends it fills my cup back up.
Sometimes I hadn’t even realized how much I needed a break (or to actually wear clothes that don’t stretch).
I spend 2-4 days with good friends, laugh (really, really hard), eat good food, wear clothes other than pajamas, talk about our goals, eat more good food…..
I then come home, cuddle up with my family, get back into my pajamas (that I now have to wear because I ate too much good food), make art, make dinners, take walks and feel full.
Content.
I may not interact with anyone else for months:-)
I used to feel bad that I didn’t want to do things every night or that I wasn’t always going here or there.
I dreaded that kind of social life.
I have come to appreciate that this is me.
It is OK.
I love being home, creating, being with my family and occasionally doing things that require makeup and publicly acceptable clothing.
I never understood that being too social wears me out and drains me.
I didn’t realize that just the right amount of playtime fills me up, surges my creativity and makes me a better wife and mother.
Are you an extrovert, introvert or a little of both?
I don’t think I could have summed it(me) up any better. I would love to be with friends more but things just don’t work out that way and I love being with my family! It’s where God has me right now and I am content with that.
I’m introvert that likes an occasional wild party night 😉
I always thought that you would be an extrovert Jeanne but I do know what you mean. I love spending time with my girlfriends ~ eating good food and having incredible conversation but home is where my heart is and I like my jammies too!
* raising hand
me 2 and add to that – I don’t even talk on the phone much!
Oh, I soooo relate to this. I am working on feeling content and not guilty with that.
Wow! Reading your post feels like you’re talking about me, especially the pajama thing. I am definitely a homebody 100%. It always makes me feel better to hear that I’m not the only person like that. Thanks for sharing!
I so enjoy your beautiful blog. I am an introvert. Have you read Quiet by Susan Cain? It is an excellent resource on being an introvert.
Hi Jeanne!
I too used to think of myself as an extrovert but as I have gotten older I realize I am an introvert to the core. Like you, the place I love most to be is at home – doing the same sort of things you love {probably minus the art, unless decorating is art, which I believe it is!}….I guess I paint with curtains! Ha!
Here’s to introverts with a few really good girlfriends – it’s the best of both worlds!
xo~Jill
have you seen the book, Quiet? I am starting it because I have the same feelings as you about time out vs. time at home. Love you photos from CA.
Right now in my life I am in introvert… I love my stretch clothings too and somedays I make myself dress up for when I stay home as it gives me a spak! I have two friends that comes over every Friday night and that’s so nice to get a visit with like minded people, the sharings generates questions and/or growth for the week!
Wow that post was ME! I am a completely different woman than I was a year and a half ago. I used to be always on the go, but now my peaceful happy comfortable place is inside the warm walls of the home that God has blessed me with. I actually struggled recently wondering if this was ok. Was there something wrong me? What did my friends “think” about me? But ya know, I am at peace with who I am. I love my life. I love just where I am. So excited about the upcoming class. It can’t start fast enough. Thanks for sharing who you are with us!!! God bless!
It is SO amazing that you wrote this blog right now because I am reading this “the Introvert’s Way: Living a Quiet Life in a Noisy World” by Sophia Dembling. I do have one question — a poll —- when you KNOW you are an introvert, how do you politely decline all the invitations without making people mad? I hate to lie and make up excuses. And people are tired of hearing “I’ll just stay in tonight”. So how do you get rid of that guilt and what is your excuse?
You’re ringing my bell here. I always used to assume I was an extrovert because I like public speaking. Haha. Truth is, I need alone time more than I need friend time…though that is so important, too!
ps – As you can tell, my pajamas are not from Anthro….or cute….. 😛
I sure can relate! Beautiful photos – I especially love the one with you standing among all the yellow flowers!
first of all, i am so happy to have ‘met’ you/discovered your site (via melissa, alexis, & estelle).
this topic has been heavily on my mind as of late. i am the exact same way. and i’m (like you) totally okay with it! i can be very social and i love being with others, but to an extent, as it takes a lot of energy out of me. energy that only ‘down time’ can replace. my husband is the same way. the reason it’s been on my mind is that we’re currently reading the book, ‘Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking’, and in recent conversations with friends, after referring to myself as an ‘introvert’, each of them (separate conversations) stopped the discussion to literally insist that i am not an introvert. …listing out all of the reasons as to why… as if i was putting myself down! many people see it as a “bad word”~ as if i have some awful perception of myself. i want to print this out and share it with them because you’ve described my thoughts to a “T”! i look forward to getting to know you better, and doing some major backtracking on your posts! :).
I am the exact same way. I LOVE to be home with my family. They are my best friends. BUT I most definitely need time with my friends. I didn’t have friends really until my oldest left home and I realized I didn’t have any. That was such a learning experience for me and I am so happy that the friends I have found are amazing women.
Read Quiet by Susan Cain and you will understand ‘you’ so much better; you are perfectly [quietly] normal!
oh i knew i loved you! when i’m home..i love being home and don’t want to leave. but when i go out i’m so glad i did. so good for you to get some girl time in. xo
Wow- this is me – and look how many others feel the same way too- I love this word!!!
Your blog and many of the comments truly resonant, and reading the book Quiet helped me to understand myself a little better. While I try not to categorize myself or other people simply on the basis of one personality trait, knowing and accepting our very legitimate need for alone time is truly helpful, especially for moms!
yes it is helpful to know isnt it?? it makes sense – I always thought there was something not right especially in my 20’s when I was suppose to be out there partying and all I wanted to was be home and read my books!
Everything makes so much more sense when you find out, isn´t that right. That´s what happened to me anyway 🙂 I read Susan Cian´’quiet’, if you haven´t – go read 🙂
Susan Cain that is – lol
I’m a weird combo.
I can talk to a brick wall and I do really love people and interacting with them, but my favorite thing in the world is to be in my pjs with a cup of coffee in hand with my crazy family. {okay…If I’m being honest, sometimes I LOVE being without my family in my room reading a book or watching the dumb tv}
Im an introvert too – large crowds and constant talk/chatter tire me so haha…I do have a small circle of friends but must admit I get more excited about the thought of being home than going out to a lavish party! I do try to make the effort to get out though especially to socialise with other bloggers and creative peeps! i do however think being an introvert and mothering is hard! My youngest is a real extrovert and it can be tricky to mother!