Everything is Not Enough and Nothin' Is Too Much To Bear

An Introvert's Guide to Friendship

I am a struggling introvert.  My friends usually have major down time in their life spans. I've spent time this year concentrating on how or why I drop the ball.  In the past always believing I was flawed or needed to get right.  I find myself always scrambling to resuscitate the relationship right before the light goes out.  Because an introvert knows that the humans she finds are like fine gold and even though we can be super lousy friends, we truly cherish people.  An understatement. They are what keeps us alive. Social experiences are super rich. Sometimes I feel like my sensitivity levels are turned to 11.  In general, public involvement is in fact so potent, I can only handle in very small doses.  A good visit will last me for months.  So being the accepted definition of a good friend is an overwhelming concept that has always eluded me but I do long for it. I desperately need that connection. Spending and giving of myself is difficult though. I'm like a Cornish hen. What little real meat there is to give, although tender and delicious, is barely a single serving.  Thank goodness I've discovered we are a real tribe and this is not a flaw, simply another personality type that is less celebrated and therefore highly misunderstood in society. I can deal with that. I barely get it.

I do treasure my personal time.  Hours spent with myself doing all the stupid little nonsense I love to do is important as eating.  If I couldn't do those things, I would die or certainly go into deep depression.  That's how I refuel. But I also fiercely need interaction.  I often wait too long then get so hungry for that human connection.  Equally crucial are all the little niche friends that carry small morsels of essential traits.   Every bit is used for nourishment.

Recently I concentrated on getting a couple of key people back into my life and it was successful. I am over the moon.  It feels like the freakin' morning sun on my face again and I delight in knowing all is never lost when the will is there.  In a world of bullies you're hearing more from us lately. Crawling out of our dens to try to join forces with the smart, educated, rational people.  Introverts coming to light might be like mass whale beachings, a sign that things are off balance in the world.

Roasted Mushroom Cap and Cauliflower Steak with Spinach and Sausage.

http://introvertspring.com/what-is-an-introvert/