Hey, every introvert has been there. An overwhelming party, parents asking too many questions, stressful assignments piling up…sometimes, an introvert just needs to escape and be alone. I tend to find a locked room and just sit in silence awhile, enjoying the quiet darkness. Others like plugging into music or getting sucked into a book or movie. Some knit, or play an instrument, or ride a bike for awhile. Whatever your escape, here are five quotes to assure you that escaping now and then is totally okay.
- Sometimes when you’re overwhelmed by a situation-when you’re in the darkest of darkness- that’s when your priorities are reordered. ~Phoebe Snow
There are some positives to stress. Many people work better with a looming deadline. However, when it becomes overwhelming, we reorder our priorities by escaping; by taking a few minutes to recharge, we are putting ourselves and our sanity at the top of our priorities list. Sometimes remembering to put ourselves first helps us handle everything else on our plate.
- I don’t think we realize just how fast we go until you stop for a minute and realize just how loud and how hectic your life is, and how easily distracted you can get. ~Meg Ryan
Extroverts and introverts alike can benefit from taking a few minutes to breathe. It’s helpful to remember that everyone, not just you, has a limit.
- The more powerful and original a mind, the more it will incline towards the religion of solitude. ~Aldous Huxley
There are lots of very smart, very successful introverts. Our love of solitude helps us stay focused on personal projects and achieve more when alone than extroverts, who work best in groups. While I would hesitate to say that either introverts or extroverts are better than the other, it is nice to remember than introversion is not a fault, and can be a trait of a powerful and original mind.
- I can only really and truly fully relax on my own. Give me a sun lounger, a pool and a sea view, and I’m happy. ~Miranda Hart
Again, you’re not alone. It’s hard to keep up appearances, to be “on” for long periods of time. And that’s okay. It’s okay to be happiest and most relaxed when alone.
- Acceptance doesn’t mean resignation; it means understanding that something is what it is and that there’s got to be a way through it ~Michael J. Fox
Most of all, fellow introverts, I want you to accept yourself for who you are. Needing to leave a party for a few minutes (or not going at all) is nothing to be ashamed of. You’re not antisocial: you’re an introvert, and you’re not alone for wanting to be alone.
Introvert Playground 
I love the Huxley quote, and the comment thereon. The extrovert social scene is not for all of us, and following our own inner orientation is often best done alone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great quotes indeed! We need some more introvert pride in this world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I appreciate you posting this. I do feel guilty when people ask me to go to events and it’s hard for me to explain WHY I don’t want to go, they think I’m making excuses or I don’t like them enough… It’s nice to know I’m not alone and that it’s okay to say no, even if they can’t understand why I don’t do well in large groups or how uncomfortable and anxious I feel. I still wish people DID understand and did NOT make me feel guilty…but one battle at a time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a good post. As a fellow introvert, I appreciate the quotes and the added explanation. I feel much better about not going to a pub quiz this weekend already! Usually I juat feel guilt for letting someone down, but in the end it’s mostly myself I let down, because when I do go to big social events I always feel like I have to put on a play… Thanks for sharing! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Totally agree, it can definitely be a cause for guilt sometimes, and can be hard to remember that it’s okay. Enjoy your night in:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
What I usually think – when I feel bad because I had to leave a place because I felt overwhelmed- is that, fine, I left, but for one time I left, how many other times have I stayed? It makes a whole difference in the perspective: you did not fail, you just did take a break after a number of successes 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great idea, to turn it around like that:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Years of practice in balancing the introvert side and the extrovert one… something I always find challenging to explain to people: being an introvert does not necessarily mean you are shy or anything. We can still be the soul of the party, but it takes more time to decompress after..
LikeLiked by 1 person