The Introvert Party Girl

Fact about Suna: I’m what they call a “well socialized introvert.” That means my system functions as an introvert, with all that need for alone time and recharging, but people perceive me as an extrovert. In fact, I’ve been laughed at many times when I reveal what I score on personality tests. Hmph.

Right now, as you are no doubt aware, it’s party season. Like many of us, I’ve been invited to a party or two or three. Most are work-related or volunteer things, but even I have a few purely social events I can make it to with my weird schedule (I am invited to many things on weekends in Austin that I can’t get to; the ranch life does require some sacrifices.)

So, I went to parties two nights in a row this week. They were good parties, full of laughter and fun. Our book club ladies had a great time talking without the bother of discussing a book (ha ha). We had a lot of adventures trying to open wine bottles with less-than-ideal openers, and also spent a great deal of time admiring our neighbor’s beautiful collections of trees. She’s my tree decor role model!

And last night was the annual Master Naturalist party/December chapter meeting. That one was harder, because there were a lot of people there I didn’t know, which makes me vacillate between not wanting to talk to strangers and feeling like I really should mingle and be friendly.

I even survived the protracted “Yankee Swap,” which was fun, but long, due to so many people being there. I lost out on a bluebird house, but did get a really cute cloth cowboy boot that could be a wine carrier or a vase holder. It was made by one of our members who’s really talented with a sewing machine, so I was relieved that no one stole it from me. I’m going to put it in the office somewhere with bluebonnets in it.

What I’ve Figured Out

As I participate in these things, it becomes clear that I do fine socializing and mingling, but I have an expiration date, really an expiration time. After about two hours, I get really antsy and want to GO HOME. At two hours and 40 minutes at the book club party, I just had to go (even though I sure had a nice time talking to Maria). And I lasted a little longer at the Master Naturalist one, but I sure did flee once I could.

They elected me President of the Master Naturalist chapter for next year. I think that means I need to stay until everyone leaves. Also, having the meetings at our office means I need to do that, anyway. This may be a test of my introverted expiration time!

How do you cope with parties? Do you love them or dread them? Do you have any strategies (like mine of hiding in the bathroom for five minutes)?

By the Way

Our little blog is getting more readers and more interaction, which makes me happy, because it feels like building a community.

I’d love to have a larger community, so feel free to share links to posts that you find interesting, and “follow” the blog on WordPress. More followers means more people are likely to see this blog pop up in their feeds.

I enjoy discovering new blogs when they magically show up thanks to keywords or whatever, and I’m liking finding new people to interact with that way.

Thanks, friends! Party on!