I am your typical extroverted introvert.
I love being around people, but I need time away from them to recharge… and it takes me a long time to let my guard down.
All my life, I’ve had a few close friends who felt almost like brothers or sisters. They knew me, probably more than they wanted to, and I always knew I could count on them to be there. And they could count on me. Conversations with these people were deep, challenging, and intense – just like I like it.
But everyone else was kept at a distance.
And so it has always been… and it has worked pretty well.
Until now.
I now find myself in a unique situation. For the most part, I’m surrounded by different kinds of friends. Or maybe they are acquaintances. Or, as one person recently put it, perhaps they are “people I know”.
These are people I’ve met around my neighborhood, people I worked with in my corporate life, people who were fellow students in classes. People I just happen to run into. Nice people. Fun people. Smart people.
These are also people who may not know my last name or how to spell my first name. People who would think I had lost my mind if I called them up to chat (although texting is ok). They think I’m crazy if I want to plan a time to get together for a meal or just talk. And I can forget deep, intense, personal conversation.
Don’t get me wrong – I like and am grateful for these friends… um, acquaintances… er, people I know. It’s just different.
It is kind of like being trapped on the set of the 1980′s television show Cheers, where everybody knows your name, but not much else.
This is very uncomfortable for me.
So, why am I telling this sob story?
Because I want any of these lovely people to change?
Because I want to feel sorry for myself?
No. I don’t want either of those things.
I’m telling this story because it is a perfect example of how the universe gives you exactly what you need.
The universe is saying, “OK, kiddo, it’s a new day. Time to exercise that small but important extroverted part of you. Just have fun and be less intense. Lean into it. Just enjoy the people you know.”
Begrudgingly, I’m trying to do that.
So, what is the universe telling you?
What is making you uncomfortable right now, but is exactly what you need?
Will you lean into it?
Filed under: Coaching Tagged: | Cheers, extrovert, introvert
