Are you dining alone today?
Yes. Thank GOD.
That’s the reaction I would have liked to give at lunch when the waitress asked me*. Instead I just smiled and said yes.
I was in an intense work engagement all week long. In one room, with the same people, all day, even for lunch. The only privacy was in the bathroom, and sometimes we were even talking between the stalls there!
It was a great group of people, but man, I am someone who needs time to themselves during the day. I just don’t handle being “on” all the time, well. It’s exhausting for me. And not because I am used to working from home. I get privacy in the office when I want it. It’s the constant, all the time interaction. I like that from time to time, for sure, but a few days really gets to me. My recent trip to DC was like that too.
Wah wah wah, right? Luckily I’m not in a full-time job that’s like that all the time, and I only have to deal with it here and there!
Does all day engagement with people (at work or home) exhaust you or give your energy?
In my personal life, I have people I can spend days with, but then again – I get to be me! I don’t have to be “on” around my friends or family! And I can say if I need a moment to myself.
Enough whining! Happy Halloween! My “celebrations” so far have included a Halloween playlist for strength class this am, wearing cat ears, and bringing pumpkin muffins. A couple of people “dressed up” for Halloween too!
I’m thinking tonight we’ll do something exciting like watch Halloween-ish movies on Netflix. Sounds perfect after being out all week!
*Which I was super confused about – I was sitting down eating at a table appropriately sized for one. I suppose she was just making conversation. Winky face.
Themocracy
Oh, I couldn’t stand that constant interactions all day! Very very introverted here! It’s one of the factors that led to deciding to be in the department I am within my industry (tax – mostly work in the office, occasional meetings, versus audit – typically work at the client’s location in an office with rest of the auditing team).
That sounds like a good fit for you at work! I sometimes think I would be better off with a job that had less interaction with people! I am not introverted, but… eh. I just get so sick of it 🙂
I can’t be on all day or around people. It’s super draining for me. My fiance is the opposite though and gets energized by having people around which makes for some funny conversations. He’s absolutely convinced that I’m mad at him sometimes when really all I want to do is curl up with a book and take a break!
Ha – what kind of funny conversations? 🙂
Aww, by now he should know you just need to chill, right? 🙂
You should have said No, and then proceeded to introduce her to an imaginary friend. Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer. lol
LOL! I think I had a dumbfounded look on my face, for sure. And this lady sees me eat there by myself a lot. It’s not odd!
I totally get this. When I was travelling all the time for work, a lot of the other consultants ate together every night. And they were super long dinners too. I just needed some down time by myself so I usually opted out. I know it made me seem anti social, but I just had to do it for my own sanity.
GAH! Yes! This! I hope they get it’s not anti social! You just need to chill! That happened in DC. We were with the client from 5:30 am (because we all took the same flight) until 6:30. And I was like… maybe I can go get dinner at some vegan place by myself! Nope! LOL
I’m becoming progressively more and more introverted. You know the Meyers-Briggs personality test? I’ve always been an ENFJ, but with every passing year I get closer to becoming an INFJ. All-day engagement completely exhausts me. I can only take so much of having to be “on” for extended periods of time. I had some family come visit last weekend, and it was nonstop talking and listening and trying to be attentive. By the time Sunday night rolled away, I was so tired of socializing. All I wanted to do was sit on the couch and zone out!
That is interesting that you are changing so much! Any ideas why:?
Oh gosh. Yeah. Guests or family almost call for a day off after so you can have some quiet time! Even though you are having fun, it’s draining! But I always sleep well when we have guests 🙂
Have a fun race tomorrow!
I hear you! All day interactions are so tough for me! I prefer my lunches at my desk so I am not even around people then. How awkward of the wait staff to ask you that?!
Lunch is such a nice breather from the day if you can do something solo! I mean, it’s nice to meet friends too, but lately I like to eat by myself.
So awkward. Ha ha!
I spend most of my day in meetings and presenting… so when I’m at my desk and have pockets of time my headphones go on, immediately! This is probably why I crave downtime, alone, on the weekend!
Between work and the kids, I feel like I have to be ON all the time. I totally get needing me time…it’s rare, but welcomed when I get it. Yesterday I was off work so went and got my hair done all by myself!!! YAY!
When I was thinking about writing this I thought of what a horrible mother I would be, cause I would want that downtime way more than I would get it! I am happy you got to go get your hair done!
It probably comes as no surprise that I get absolutely drained from long interactions with people. As an introvert, I find it absolutely exhausting to interact with people for long periods of time and often need even more time solo to recuperate.
Oh man, can I relate!! Love and NEED my alone time!!!
That does sound really draining, and I’m an extrovert!
Did you enjoy eating alone? I always find that I worry about eating too quickly when I’m alone (even though I eat too quickly with other people!).
I really enjoy eating alone! I still eat just as fast as I normally do. Although I sometimes read so that may slow it down a bit.
I do enjoy eating by myself. Being in a classroom with 28 kids does that to you. 🙂
Oh and you look good in your picture. Way to go!!