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The Before Times and the After
Maybe the Introverts Were Right
Back in the before times, when we knew nothing of pandemics and lockdowns and the extroverts were after me, I needed excuses. The invitations were relentless.
Let’s take a walk, have a drink, catch a show, have a party, brunch, dinner, come watch me do my thing!
I enjoy all of those things, but it’s mood dependent and my midlife moods have trended towards maybe later. I’m thankful for all my lovely friends and family, but oh my god can everyone just sit down and be quiet.
It hasn’t always been this way. When my grown children chide me for my anti-social homebody ways, I remind them of their childhood. Their super-social, activity-filled, heavily peopled childhood facilitated by moi. We did parties, potlucks, dances, sports, and entertained an endless parade of guests. We hosted brunches, lunches, dinners, and sleepovers. We vacationed with large groups, had bonfires and barbecues. I literally catered large events, feeding and watering the masses. We were out there and it was exhausting. Often fun, but ultimately exhausting. I ran out of steam and, when the small people moved on and put themselves out there, I embraced staying in here. I love it in here and, happily, so does my husband. We are among the lucky, with a comfortable house, a big yard, and the means to…
