I almost didn’t write one of these this weekend. I am worn out. Depleted. I’ve got nothing left in the tank. I’ve not answered messages, replied to voicemails, and there are what’s app groups with whole conversations in them I haven’t looked at yet and can’t face to do so. How come? You might ask. Well, it’s simple, I’ve spent too much time with lots of people, being ‘on’ (socially) and no time at all at home alone, being quiet.
Me too! I got sober at 38 (43 now) and have had the same discoveries and also have WhatsApp messages from friends I care about that have gone unread for months… This is beautifully written and I feel seen 💛
"When I got sober, I realised with some shock that my extroversion wasn’t ’natural’ at all, and that I used alcohol to make me that way. I poured wine over my social discomfort and washed it away. It turns out I actually get my energy (particularly of the creative variety) from being alone. I am a quiet person. Who knew."
The same thing happened to me. That's part of the discovery of being sober - you gain a clarity otherwise obscured. There are many gifts of sobriety and this is the one I found, too. My newly discovered introversion, at the time (I'm nearly 5 years clean) made it easier to adapt to this new healthier lifestyle, although I'd been an introvert all along, of course.
Introverts recharge when they're alone. It took me a long time to figure that out. I recommend you read Susan Cain's book 'Quiet.'
Me too! I got sober at 38 (43 now) and have had the same discoveries and also have WhatsApp messages from friends I care about that have gone unread for months… This is beautifully written and I feel seen 💛
Ahhh Erin thank you! I almost didn’t post today so this response is so lovely x
"When I got sober, I realised with some shock that my extroversion wasn’t ’natural’ at all, and that I used alcohol to make me that way. I poured wine over my social discomfort and washed it away. It turns out I actually get my energy (particularly of the creative variety) from being alone. I am a quiet person. Who knew."
The same thing happened to me. That's part of the discovery of being sober - you gain a clarity otherwise obscured. There are many gifts of sobriety and this is the one I found, too. My newly discovered introversion, at the time (I'm nearly 5 years clean) made it easier to adapt to this new healthier lifestyle, although I'd been an introvert all along, of course.
Introverts recharge when they're alone. It took me a long time to figure that out. I recommend you read Susan Cain's book 'Quiet.'
Kindest regards and stay sober!
Yes, I loved Quiet too. Helped explain a lot!
Quiet is the best healing...