This past Summer was the pinnacle of freedom, or so I thought. I woke up when I wanted, did what I wanted, went where I wanted, and had absolutely zero obligations to clunk up my schedule. I only ventured forth from the house to the library, grocery store, Adoration and to Mass. I had little or no society and a great many weeks holed up in my cozy house, lacto-fermenting things and reading great literature. It was fun for a while.
Socialization for me, an introvert, can be rather exhausting and sometimes even onerous. Try as I might to be a hermit, though, I really do need other people. This Summer of isolation was a great wake up call for me. Not only were the days stale and unchanging without others' ideas, quirks, and personalities, but my self-centeredness and introspection skyrocketed and suddenly every minor annoyance around the house was a crisis and every minor ache was coddled as a great ailment. In the decadence of self-indulgent living, I had to create tension and burdens. SICK, isn't it? Living for myself, while temporarily thrilling and exhilarating, quickly became flat, boring, and utterly meaningless.
Last Saturday, my husband and I kick-started a new social season by
going to two parties, and the next three weeks of my calendar are booked
with social engagements almost every night. I'm really looking forward to it! We're doing a book club, Bible study, Pinochle night, dinner parties, prayer groups, and volunteering. Part of me wants to pull the covers over my head, but the other part can't wait to stretch my social comfort zone.
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
