I’ll be honest, socializing isn’t entirely my thing. I always feel great after I do it, but the starting is a lot harder than the finishing.
I work in a job that is constantly dealing with people. Constantly. And those dealings are related to sensitive topics like work schedules and time off schedules and pay. All of it can be highly charged with emotion since, as you can imagine, in a group of hundreds, everyone can’t always get want they want. I’m the one who gets to tell them that. And I’ve recently been in a position to say no to a lot of people a lot more frequently than I’ve ever had to before. I have firm boundaries and an unshaking understanding of not only the rules, but of how they came to be. It doesn’t bother me to have to say no when no is the correct answer, but sometimes doing it repeatedly can get a little weary. Most people understand and I take care to give them a full explanation regardless. I am not at all complaining about the people because they are the part of my job that I love the most.
But.
I am a serious, SERIOUS introvert.
So, when the weekend comes, my first thought about relaxation is always related to quiet time at home. A weekend without any obligations makes me feel like I hit the jackpot.
I love the people I work with. I really do. But sometimes going out is the very last thing in the world that I want to do.
Lately my ambitions have turned to making more of an effort to get out with others. At the same time I’ve been giving a lot of thought to who those others are and the old adage that you are the company you keep.
There are many things I want to see, try, do, be in this lifetime and it struck me a few weeks back that I want to surround myself with people who don’t necessarily want the exact same thing, but people who’d at least get it and support it.
Then I read this advice in a book this morning:
At this time, pay special attention to whom is paying special attention to you and to what you care about. Who mirrors your heart? Who is showing up for your talents, your self-dedication? Pay them gratitude, in words and actions. Send them love, even if they aren’t human.
To our very human friends with whom wandered all over town last night: thank you. For the reminder that the people who get it and get me are out there and they’re worth making time for. ❤️
Do you think about who you’re spending time with? Do you make a point of making time for people you find particularly inspiring or motivating? Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
