An Introvert in an Extrovert's World

 

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This is a response to Anstice Brown's IWSG post about blogging friends.

"There are several bloggers whom I’m very fond of and admire greatly, but my particular brand of introversion means that I’m pretty useless at maintaining real-life friendships, let alone the online variety."

Me too. I have a handful of online friends with whom I communicate outside of blogging, and that's sporadic. I am by no means a social butterfly. I often really wish my stories would just speak for themselves so I didn't have to network, because it isn't natural to me. I'm very awkward at it. I'm the kind of person who lurks by a large plant at a party and hopes that no-one notices me. Thankfully, I no longer feel beholden to go to parties.

Murderous Imaginings : IWSG - Friendship

Murderous Imaginings : IWSG - Friendship: 

I'm working on the WEP entry. I can't say that I've formed a lot of friendships through blogging, but I'm a tough nut to crack. I tend to keep my shell hard and my interactions superficial.

Mes crazy expériences: WeWriWar 340: The House at the Crossing 46

Mes crazy expériences: WeWriWar 340: The House at the Crossing 46:   Hello everybody and welcome for a new Sunday of writing with Weekend Writing Warrior and Snippet Sunday !   How are you doing? 

A fascinating mystery. It would be cool if a room could appear for me to put stuff whenever I needed, though!

Faeries, Dragons, and Spaceships: #IWSG Balance and pivoting

Faeries, Dragons, and Spaceships: #IWSG Balance and pivoting:   

I was pushed off the regular job train by disability. I'm still waiting for SSDI to get their heads out of their backsides and approve me. I know it can literally take years, and it's unconscionable to me. 

I do write every day, but I don't have an exact word count. I write what I write. It probably averages 1000 words a day anyway. I have ADHD, and I'm always working on numerous projects.

I honestly didn't know who I was without my job, and it took me a long time to adjust. I started working when I was 16. Except for a brief period of time when my son was very little, I've never been without a job. 

I don't know how to take breaks. I tend to feel guilty when I do. I was always a workaholic, and that behavior led to my becoming disabled. 

I wish that society didn't encourage workaholism. Looking back, there were glaring signs that I was completely overwhelmed, but I ignored them until it was too late because I was afraid to look at who I was outside of my work persona.

Tea, Sigh, Create: February - Insecure Writers Support Group

Tea, Sigh, Create: February - Insecure Writers Support Group: February 3 question - Blogging is often more than just sharing stories. It’s often the start of special friendships and relationships. 

I can definitely relate to the feeling that friendship is a tricky thing. I am by no means a social butterfly. You must be doing something right, as you have quite a few comments. I'm always surprised if I get any, honestly.

I forgot to mention intimidated. I tend to feel overwhelmed if I get numerous comments. I'm so used to being ignored that I don't know what to do when people respond to my work.

Dreamers, lovers, and Star Voyagers: WeWriWa: EU62

Dreamers, lovers, and Star Voyagers: WeWriWa: EU62:   Hello fellow warriors. :-) Happy last weekend in January! It's almost the month of Cupid, Mardi Gras, and a short month to bo...

Feeling out of control is the worst. Fortunately, Emmily seems rather level-headed.

A friend of mine has been diabetic since childhood. He has been battling throat cancer. A nurse was sent to his home and took over doing his blood glucose tests and injections. This was actually one aspect of his life that he felt he could control, and to have that taken away from him sent him into such a bad state of anxiety that he had to be hospitalized. 

Giving people as much control as possible over their own lives is important. I don't expect invading extraterrestrials care much about that, though!

Diane Burton: #IWSG: Friendships

Diane Burton: #IWSG: Friendships:   Happy Insecure Writer's Support Group Day. IWSG is the brainchild of Ninja Captain  Alex J. Cavanaugh . Purpose: To share and encourag...

I always encourage people to keep on keeping on. We can't compare ourselves to others. It's advice I should take myself. Do as I say, not as I do!