February 13, 2011

A Thousand Years

I had friends in my home non-stop for twelve days.

Twelve blizzard snow-days.

That went on for a thousand years.

And I realized once again, I am not a people person.

Don't get me wrong, I love people.  And I thoroughly enjoyed visiting my friends.  But I am not one of those who is energized by crowds.  After a while, I begin to wane.  I can't focus on the conversation.  I feel antsy and nervous. I find reasons to go to bed early or take long baths.  I slink away by myself to write or paint like my life depends on it.

I don't know if it's a failure to understand being with others or if it's just the way I'm made, but eventually I have to remove myself.  I have to have a break from people.  I find myself looking forward to being completely alone.  To being able to think once again.  Everything comes back into focus once I have some solitude.

I used to chide myself about this side of me.  But now I embrace it.  It's as much a part of me as the characters in my head.  And my family has learned to give me space between gatherings to recoup my hostess-y self.

For the record, we haven't had company for four days.  **Happy sigh**  I feel restored and ready for life.  My energy's back and my step has a skip in it.  It's a good thing too, because my daughter just slumped down in front of me with her face scrunched in misery.

"Mom," she said, "I need people.  It's been a thousand years since we had anyone over."

23 comments :

  1. I am so LIKE you. Being around people drains my power cells and after a while I just start to shut down. My wife, on the other hand, is a social butterfly. You wouldn't think that could work, but we're going on 29 years together. :)

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  2. *raises hand* Me too. I like my peace and quiet a little too much sometimes. I have to make a conscious effort to go out and socialize otherwise I might never leave my house!!

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  3. I'm an introvert, the husband is an extrovert. We are going out tonight to a Valentines evening with other people, I already feel myself getting drained and as we drive closer to the function this evening he will energize.

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  4. "I don't know if it's a failure to understand being with others or if it's just the way I'm made, but eventually I have to remove myself."
    "L'enfer c'est les autres."

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  5. DL, I think it's ironic how couples seem to end up with one of each. Someone has a sense of humor...

    Valerie, my family forces me. ;D

    Christine, LOL. Hope you get some solitude later!

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  6. Berowne, good one. (I had to google a translation)

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  7. Too much of a good thing surely gets waring doesn't it. I know what you mean.

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  8. I know the feeling. I can only endure a couple days of company, and I go bonkers for peace and quiet. My daughter thrives on people time! Weird.

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  9. Linda May, it can. ;)

    Lilibeth, our daughters must be cut from the same mold. :D

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  10. Hehe and I wanna know what you replied to your daughter :D

    I'm not a people's person either. I do enjoy their company, but i tend to get tired soon! :-/

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  11. It is great when they come and even better when they go! I am sure most feel this way, the problem is not being able to relax with the pressure to entertain, feed and worse still converse. I can just imagine them saying when they finally do go "Old Egg didn't say much!"

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  12. Wow. I feel exactly like you. I LOVE being alone. I can't handle more than a couple of hours in company. Eek! Enjoy your alone time!

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  13. The last line is fantastic in itself but I just love the confidence you have in knowing who you are and what makes your life complete..being able to be alone is a much over-looked gift..Jae

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  14. Catherine, I so love your company on my blog.

    And I completely understand your need for a break from people. We writers have more "friends" than most, with all those characters living in our heads.

    Happy Valentine's Day!

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  15. Ah! The blessed peace of solitude, until that moment when you think 'God, I'm lonely!

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  16. Warm Sunshine, I said, "Maybe tomorrow..."

    Old Egg, yes I'm sure they were saying the same of me. Ha.

    Myrna, great minds. ;)

    Jessica, haha. I am.

    Jae, I don't often hear it called a gift, but I agree.

    Jennie, same here!! I love the thought of writers having more friends than most through our characters.

    Old Altonian, yes, there is a time for solitude and a time for friends. :)

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  17. I get my "doesn't play well with others" times - I have to have some time alone every now and then or I start getting mean - I'm right there with ya. Company for twelve days?? Yikes.

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  18. Great story! I know it was real, but it came full circle in the end. Marvelous. It's okay to be a people person, or not, or know your limitations, and what you need to refuel. We're all made differently. The best is to embrace who you are. Ya!

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  19. Dee, I chuckled at your "doesn't play well with others". ;)

    Mary, thank you! :D Yes, embracing who we are is so important. I've also learned to embrace who my family is. It's as important for them to have crowds as it is for me to have solitude. We have to take turns. Ha!

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  20. Amazing how each of us receive our energy from different sources. My mother and I are exactly the same way!

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  21. Carina, isn't it? My mother and I are opposites. She taught me how to small talk.

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