Melody Wright

One Strange Soul
2022-02-15 16:15:23 (UTC)

Being an introvert is hard

I've had the office at work all to myself for the past two weeks. There's something about knowing things need to get done and knowing you are the only person who can get it done. It tends to make a person focused. I feel like I was very productive those two weeks.

Today my coworker is back. I’m two hours into the workday and I have had all the social interaction I want to have for the day.

I don't dislike my coworker at all, but just having a person present in a room requires more psychological energy than I have in reserves. Every time he speaks I have to not be rude and acknowledge him. Because he's in the office it means he could speak at any time so my mind is always alert to the possibility. That in turn decreases my productivity.

It is a major reason I spend Sunday afternoons writing work emails and working on the parts spreadsheet. I can brew a pot of coffee, put on headphones, sit at my kitchen table and work without distractions. It's my favorite work day of the week normally.

I also get the impression that other people at work find my coworker more friendly (not surprising at all). I am very comfortable with silence, even in elevators, and I think it bothers many people who want to chat. I am not rude, but I don't attempt to carry the conversations very far either.

I use to try harder to talk more when I was younger. I find I don't have the energy for image management lately. I'm all about practicality now since the social part is extra taxing as I get older. I always thought it would get easier.




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