How to deal with being "too tired" to socialize

I also deal with this. If I am too tired or overwhelmed, my ability to converse with others is one of the first things to go. I find myself losing focus, my eyes go out of focus too, I might even say something weird. I'm starting a new job soon and am worried my general depression coupled with post-covid fatigue and.brain fog will make it nearly impossible for me to make my best impression.

It's definitely the plight of the introvert. We live in an extroverts world and, for myself at lest, I struggle with FOMO and guilt and people pleasing tendencies. If I say no to invites too much will they stop inviting me? Do I have to give an acceptable excuse to decline an invite? It's exhausting! I also feel like people are getting back to their busy event filled lives just like pre-pandemic times and I'm feeling that hard. The pandemic lockdown months afforded me a very enlightening time of guilt free introversion that I'm now understanding more.

Well, it's always been my rule to never go out more than once per week and to never drink 2 days in a row. I also get at least 8 hours of sleep every night that I possibly can, and I take a nap every Saturday and Sunday afternoon. I'll get yp early on Saturday morning to get shopping and house cleaning out of the way and be right back in bed before noon so that I'm fun for Saturday night. Then I'm not burnt out and feel like socializing. If I know I'm going out with friends, I take a nap beforehand so that I'm good company.

Yes, I can relate. I think it comes down to a boundary issue.

1) Internalize the belief that you don't owe people your bubbly energy all the time, and that you have every right to withdraw emotionally/energetically to rest. 2) Start acting on it by not being so available, and by communicating it to those close to you.

3) Practice, practice, practice & be patient with yourself. You'll give too much some times, and that's okay.

When you're not overgiving and not so tired all the time, it will be easier to be present in interactions like you want to be.

I recently went on a vacation with a friend, and we're both sensitive and introverted people. We were able to tell each other when we needed alone time or an early night and it was the best.

I straight up tell people I'm busy introverting. That makes it truthful and about me. If they don't get it, it's likely that I won't keep them around much, they are an exhausting person.

Also worth mentioning that work, life, family, responsibilities can all be exhausting and draining, even if you aren't an introvert. I feel this so much. My way of dealing with the mental drain is squirrel away for a week / weekend, and spend that time (when no working) doing things that make me feel good, getting those endorphins going. Working out some mornings helps, having a nice hot bath, taking the time to purge the house, reading. All these alone time activities help me recharge, personally. Getting a massage helps too if you're feeling too stressed, this is a no work way to get those endorphins recharged.

Are you an introvert or an extrovert? This is super important to know! I know MBTI is like astrology but it’s a good start and it’s fun. Go to 16personalities.com and take the free test. You do NOT have to be on all the time; no one is.

Are you getting enough actual alone time after socializing/work, or are you texting, using social media, phonecalls etc?

As an introvert, when I'm out and about I can maintain being "on", but the minute I'm home and alone the social fatigue hits me like a truck. I find that it continues on to the next day if I can't actually get that time to decompress because of (for example) someone trying to set up a future get-together or wanting to catch up over the phone and prolonging it.

Somewhat related, does anyone else get a weird feeling of not doing enough even when they've had a full busy day? Like I could work, clean my place, run errands, cook, hang out with friends and still feel like I didn't do enough. But then I could have a day of doing nothing and not feel that at all!

I'm the same way. It was worse when I was a child... would literally start getting headaches and start crying when I am forced to go to family and company parties with my parents and I don't get the chance to diffuse quietly somewhere. I don't mind having fun with people in general, but it can take a lot out of me. Now that I'm a little older, it has come back with a vengeance, and being out and about for a few hours too long makes me want to fall asleep as soon as I get home.

Introversion is 100% normal in women.

I’m experiencing socialization fatigue as well atm. After almost a week of constantly co-working and hanging out with a new friend (who is an wonderful woman btw) I feel exhausted and I don’t want to leave my house for a week. I had a caffeine crash today and two meetings and I’m completely drained. Women are expected to be bubbly and “on” it’s so exhausting. Patriarchy really got us good. We aren’t allowed the full range of human disposition: stoic, withdrawn, reserved, congenial etc. we’re only allowed bubbly or “resting bitch face”.

I struggle with this too. I can't be "on" all the time either, and I feel like it's what people expect. I think, for women, there's also the expectation that we'll always be friendly, upbeat, bubbly, smiling, etc. I'm just not like that. I don't smile all the time. I'm a person. Men are not expected to smile constantly and be full of energy. When I'm around other people, I feel like I have to pretend, put on a performance, and it's exhausting to me.

I relate to this as well. And as an introvert it’s difficult for some to people to get that sometimes we simple want to be alone by themselves without internalizing it and assuming we don’t like them. This pressure to be bubbly and overly expressive all the time, like we are not allowed to have bad days or simple be without all the performance is exhausting and now I simple don’t bother to pretend to be enthusiastic when I am not

Are you introverted by any chance?