Welcome to Introverts!  We are the true silent majority.  I feel like the time is right now to do this because the truth about the power of introverts is starting to come out.

Books, articles, several publications are starting to report data suggesting that the majority of the world are introverts.  But we’ve always been made to feel that being an introvert was wrong.  And for those who don’t understand this, I grew up in a time where some folks thought that writing with your left hand was wrong.  They would try to get you to go with your right one.  I’m left handed.  My dad had to make many trips up to the school to stop teachers from trying to force me right handed.

What those teachers tried to do to me is exactly what society tries to do with introverts.  Everywhere you go, you’re forced into these social situations.  And the moment you try to take a step back from those situations, not only do extroverts look at you like something is wrong with you but other introverts do too.

It’s like man…my own people.

But slowly, I’m starting to see a change.  But a change like this doesn’t come easy.  It’s going to take a push and I’m stepping a little bit out of my comfort zone to help it along.  And the best way I know how to push right now is to tackle what I believe is the biggest issue for introverts like myself.  And that is leaving behind this feeling that there is something wrong with me.  So let’s jump right in.

It seemed like the perfect time to start this platform because this, in my opinion, is one of the toughest stretches of time for introverts.  The holiday season is just not an easy one.  And it doesn’t matter what you celebrate, the problem is the obligations that come with the holiday season.

So let’s go back in time for me:

• Growing up it was just my dad and me.
• School was always a problem.  Class of 30 students for 6+ hours.
• High School, I started reaching my breaking point.  Little relief when I switched schools.
• College: I craved the moments when my roommate was away.

So in each of those stages, how the holidays hit me was a little different but manageable.

Everything changed when I left college, and more specifically, whenever I would have serious relationships.

The Family

Problems with the Family around the holidays

• You have to go.
• You have to stay.
• You have to talk.
• The elder’s table.

My Wife’s family is awesome.

So what do I do when these holidays come around?

• I don’t get much rest the night before.  Not by choice, kids.  But it works to my advantage.
• I’m always willing to run the errands.
• My kids act as a buffer.
• I strategically move around.
• I interact with them on social media.
• Recharge time.

Look, I don’t think the holidays will ever not be a tough time for me.  Feeling that pressure from the beginning of October on thru the New Year takes a lot out of me.  And the guilt to go along with it.  Like i’ve said, it’s hard not to feel like something is wrong with you because you don’t want to be around people during the holidays.  And you don’t want to hurt your loved ones because a lot of people could easily take that in the wrong way.

Like anything else there’s levels to this.  I think i’m on the extreme end of the introvert spectrum but who really knows.  But at some point in time I suspect every introvert out there has thought they were extreme.  But what I do know is that we are introverts and we are the true silent majority in this county.

Until next time, this is Hudson going to lay down and recharge my batteries.

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