If I turn someone down for a get-together or a hang-out session, I know I’m going to be in for, at best, some light teasing, or at worst, hurt feelings and a fight. Of course, my response is always the same — that as an introvert, I just need some time alone — but that’s usually followed by a look of hurt or rejection.


I cannot seem to win these battles. Sure, I could push myself past my limits and spend more time with people even though it drains me, physically and mentally. But who does that really benefit? Not me, because I’ll probably just be looking for every excuse in the world to leave when my “introvert battery” runs dry. It won’t benefit the other person either, because trust me, I’ll be anything but fun and energetic when that happens.