However, when I am around people I don’t know, I’ve been told I’m kind of a ‘B’. I get to be a bit shy and aloof, though I’m not that kind of person, I just put myself off that way the first time. I just kind of stand around and watch until someone approaches me. Most of my friends tell me that when they first met me they thought I was a snob. However, once they get to know me… I’m the opposite.

I am NOT sane until I get home though. Once I walk through those doors I feel safe. I get around my kids, toss on my comfy shorts or in my PJ bottoms and we will all sit around and watch TV, or just talk. I love to be with my kids, even if they are all off at the pool or on the computer, at least I know they are safe within our home.

I can’t imagine how horrible it is for people who don’t feel safe in their homes, where do they go to be safe or to feel comforted? It’s sad for me to see kids or women who are unhappy where they live, your home should be your haven.

Then . . . I had a baby. And, I didn’t want to step foot outside the home, yet I had cabin fever. I wanted to connect with a community of moms who’d been through this before, but I was reluctant to meet new people (way too much effort and draining). Part of it was just the emotional/physical newness of post-partum and mommyhood, and the other was that I was a stranger to a new town AND I just had a life-changing experience. That’s enough to make anyone want to crawl into her shell and just stay in a protective environment.

Now, Calvin’s older. I’m in a new state and a new town…and I’m back to my old self. Ready to embark on new adventures (with baby in tow), and meet other moms and families. In fact, I’ve discovered a whole new group of people for social networking: moms and families…instead of the ladder climbing professionals that I’ve hung out with for most of my adult life.

So, when I’m feeling like ME…healthy and happy: I’m totally in my groove as an extrovert. When I’m really out of my comfort zone (read: post-partum and living with husband’s grandparents in a country town and can’t find any peers) then, I found out that I became an introvert.

Guess we’re all capable of living on both sides of the coin.

I get to be alone more now that my daughter is school aged (but seem to keep taking in too many pets).

I call myself an extroverted introvert. I think that’s the best description. People thought when I was younger, I was an extrovert. They still think that.

But now I know that I’m an extroverted introvert. And it’s really good to know.

Cheerio!

C

I was always mostly in the middle, but toward to Introvert side. I *need* quiet, alone, time to recharge. That is how I get my energy, and that is why I am an introvert. The extrovert in me (which is less pronounced than the introvert) can get up in front of a room, make small talk with anyone I meet, and enjoys meeting new people at large gatherings. At the end of the day, though, I need my time. I need to be quiet, with my family and people I love. I need to read, relax, and recharge. And for me, recharging is all about the solitude and not being around tons of people.