There's nothing wrong with taking pleasure in your own company. It doesn't make you weird. It doesn't make you antisocial. It doesn't make you selfish. And it doesn't make lonely and desperately desirous of human contact. It makes you human!
We all have to interact with others on a daily basis -- whether with family at home or coworkers in the workplace -- plus attend to other matters that can further sap our time and energy, from flat tires to unexpected doctor's visits. This can leave us feeling drained at the end of the day, prompting us to seek solitude.
For many people -- particularly the introverts among us -- nothing can be more rejuvenating than time spent indulging solitary activities like reading, watching movies, and sleeping.
Extroverts, on the other hand, derive energy from social interaction, so it should come as no surprise they would be dumbfounded at the thought of others fleeing from people to recharge their batteries.
Would I encourage people to cut off contact with others completely? Of course not. We are after all, social mammals, and social discourse is an integral part of the human experience.
That doesn't mean, however, that we should be made to feel ashamed of the fact that we run out of gas after an hour or two spent, say, at a loud gathering of hundreds of people.
Some of us are wired differently, and there's nothing wrong with it. If anything, it's something to embrace -- not be apologetic for -- because it puts us in the minority.
Whether you're introverted or extroverted, neither is better than the other. Neither is right or wrong. It's just two different ways human beings channel their energy.
If you ever feel the need to disconnect at work or at a party for a few minutes, give yourself the leeway to do so.
Go to your car, to the restroom, or wherever else you can be by yourself. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Whether you wish to clear your mind or gather your thoughts is entirely up to you.
The point is that sometimes the only way to recalibrate is to get away from others -- even if for a few brief moments. People shouldn't take it personally if you feel the need to pass on drinks, for example.
They should understand that you're far more likely to enjoy yourself if your energy isn't depleted. Tell them you would like to take a rain check and do it another day.
Moreover, some people are purposely single and keep a small circle of friends because they favor limited social intercourse. Once again, there is nothing wrong with this. If anything, it shows you're high in self-awareness -- you know yourself well enough to build your social life around your natural temperament.
Never let anyone prevent you from seeking solitude when you need it most. If people persist in assuming you're lonely, standoffish, or arrogant, perhaps they just can't accept how you are and make a poor fit in your life.
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