Ask questions to help ease the transition for those who prefer being alone.
By Deb Hipp
A few years ago, I took my 77-year-old mom, a classic introvert, on a tour of senior living communities in Saratoga. I wanted to show her how much easier life could be if she and Dad rented an independent living apartment and didn’t have to cook all their meals.
Mom humored me, praising one apartment’s cute kitchen and admiring the peaceful view and landscaped grounds. Our tour guide showed us the dining room, and my mom smiled politely. She was also impressed with the common area’s comfy, oversized chairs and crackling fireplace.
“That’s a really nice place,” I told Mom as we drove away. “What do you think?”
“Oh, it’s nice, but I couldn’t live there,” she told me with a shudder. “Too many people.”
Introverts Just Want to Have Fun. Alone.
Are you or a loved one an introvert? If so, you’re probably misunderstood on a regular basis. That’s because people often misjudge an introvert as being aloof or even rude, when really, all that person wants is some much-needed alone time to recharge.
Unlike extroverts, who gain energy from socializing, an introvert actually loses energy with too much social time. You know how your drained cell phone starts making that bleeping sound when the battery has no bars left? That’s what an introvert feels like after three lunch dates and a movie in one week.