Meet the introverts who are dreading a return to normal.

[Ocelot II]

Everybody can’t wait to return to normal. Except for half the population dreading the return to normal.

“It’s like being paroled for a year and then being told, ‘Actually, you’re going back to prison'"...

For most introverts, the outside world can sometimes require emotional labor. The small talk at the office is work because no one wants to know how you’re really doing. Bosses and clients demand a happy face. Extended family and friends, no matter how loved, require what little down time isn’t already dedicated to work and a spouse or kids...

...As one Twitter user put it, “now that I’m fully vaccinated, I just want you to know that I still won’t be able to make that thing because I don’t want to come.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/introverts-are-dreading-a-return-to-the-noise-crowds-and-small-talk-of-normal-life/2021/04/09/386006b0-987b-11eb-b28d-bfa7bb5cb2a5_story.html

Yup.

[ShazamIam]

1. I'm one of those who will have to create a fresh list of reasons for regrets, plausible

and foolproof, meaning unquestionable.

[Ocelot II]

2. I can't even use the excuse of being sick because one of the side-effects

of a year of self-imposed house arrest and mask-wearing is that I never got sick with anything.

[ShazamIam]

5. Yes, no cold or flu, just the spring pollen, which fortunately leads to summer dust, pollen and

too much sunlight.

[CousinIT]

3. I'm one of those. Probably be a 'hybrid' situation - working at home couple days a week

Onsite other days.

Blech.

[tanyev]

4. Yep, yep, yep.

The pandemic has been the ultimate good reason for not doing things I didn't really want to do. I'll be fully vaccinated in a few more days and I do want to do my own grocery shopping in person, especially stores like Sprouts or Trader Joe's which I haven't bothered with since this all started. That's about all I miss.

[Diamond_Dog]

6. I have a feeling

That some people I know will be wanting to meet for lunch in a restaurant now that more of us are fully vaccinated, and I’m just not comfortable with that yet. I know they’ll think I’m being a weenie but I can’t help it.

[yonder]

7. Yup x 2. I got to say that socially,

this past year hasn't been that bad.

[Midnight Writer]

8. Count me as one who is thoroughly comfortable in his cocoon.

I have no desire to break out as a social butterfly.

[jimfields33]

9. 50 percent of the country is introvert

I’m a huge extrovert. I am stunned by the 50-50 split. I thought it was 80 extrovert and 20 introvert. Learn something new everyday.

[tanyev]

14. See? Introverts do such a good job staying out of the hustle and bustle

you don't realize how many of us there are. Sneaky.

[jimfields33]

17. Lol. Love it and so true. We need you so much to keep things perfect!!!!

[Unca Jim]

15. I mean maybe...

online. But it's more like 30/70.

[smirkymonkey]

23. Really? I thought as you did. I really believed that we were a majority extrovert nation.

I am an extreme introvert and feel like I am surrounded by extroverts everywhere I go. Especially at work, which is where it's hardest for me.

The pandemic and ensuing lockdown has been a dream come true for me. I did miss some things, but basically I was not suffering at all.

[captain queeg]

10. I'm a bit of an introvert but I'm looking forward to being able to do a few more things

I got a haircut and went to the library yesterday. Not my first haircut but I’ve missed the library for the last year or so. They did have a program where you could order books and they’d bring them to your car but yesterday was the first time I could browse in a long time. You had to sign up for a slot and they only let 6 in at a time for half hour of access, but that was sure nice and I picked up three books.

[zuul]

11. I get to continue working from home

and I am thrilled! I would rather spend time with plants and animals than humans!

[George II]

12. I've been socially distancing most of my life (not really, but it's a great excuse!)

[orangecrush]

13. Introvert here.

I must confess, I have enjoyed the quality time.

[Delmette2.0]

16. I turned down my 50th class reunion citing COVID.

My very small home town is mostly Repug now and former classmates will be attending from all over the country. I really don't have anything in common with any of them.

The organizers seem to think this will all be over by July. LOL.

[jimfields33]

18. I'm so grateful mine isn't until 2022.

I haven’t missed one yet and I even flew back from Korea to attend one. They are the best.

[Delmette2.0]

19. I truely hope you have a great time. nt

[jimfields33]

20. Thank you so much.

Hopefully we will be totally out of the covid by next year.

[DemUnleashed]

21. Make Up

Have not worn make up in one year! I would love it if I never have to wear any ever again!!

[Mr.Bill]

22. I missed celebrating a few family

birthdays and anniversaries, but other than that I have actually enjoyed the last year. I should mention I am retired and my income wasn't harmed at all. I used stimulus money to do a few projects around the house, and I live in a Senior mobile home park, so I still saw my neighbors at the proper distance and never felt isolated. Zoom was a big help staying in touch with family, but we didn't even use that as much as I thought we would.

A wife I really get along well with and a couple of good dogs helped, too.

[smirkymonkey]

24. I read this in the WaPo when it came out, but I just saw it here.

Sometimes, I wish this issue would be taken more seriously by society as a whole, because I still don't think introverts - our our issues - are taken seriously. It's kind of like, oh, isn't that cute! Well, you still have to play by our rules, sorry!

I can choose my own friends and most of them are either more like me or at least understand and accept my introverted tendencies, but where it is really a problem is at work, where extroverts shine and introverts are not considered to be "team players", blah blah blah. I am dreading going back to the office, even though it will only be about three days per week.

And our company is big on "culture" which means we have all these social events, which are usually happy hours, or other party type events which I have no interest in, so I feel like I am being anti-social when I don't attend. I have been using fear of Covid as an excuse so far (it's mostly the younger people who have been attending these things), but I won't be able to use that legitimately for much longer.

I love that last line! “now that I’m fully vaccinated, I just want you to know that I still won’t be able to make that thing because I don’t want to come.” So perfect!