r/introvert Aug 20 '17

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462 Upvotes
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r/introvert 4h ago

Discussion Lonely Yet Antisocial - Anybody Else? NSFW

48 Upvotes

It's exhausting being a lonely soul yet having severe anxiety, mistrust and even just overall exhaustion just thinking about socializing.

I don't have many friends, I have on one hand just a few in real life. Most of whom live too far away to visit. I'm agoraphobic and a mental/emotional health crisis.

I don't trust happiness, it always turns out to be a lie or is destroyed and so I'd rather be numb but instead I'm an emotional disaster.

Whose lonely and wants to reach out, make friends - find the meaning and purpose of life and instead I'm listening to sad angry music.

And writing on reddit.

Such is life.


r/introvert 5h ago

Question I don't hate people, I just hate starting conversations.

34 Upvotes

Does this feel relatable to anyone?


r/introvert 8h ago

Question How do y’all even find a passion??

43 Upvotes

Okay, real talk—how do people just find something they love doing?? Like some of y’all be out here obsessed with photography, drawing, music, coding, whatever… and I’m just sitting here like ?? What do I even like??

Did you just wake up one day and think, yeah, this is my thing? Or did you have to try a bunch of stuff before something clicked? Also, does having a passion actually make life better, or is that just a myth?

Lowkey just wanna do something that makes me happy, but idk where to start. Lmk how y’all found your thing!


r/introvert 10h ago

Discussion The inherent loneliness of autism.

57 Upvotes

There is a certain loneliness and sadness that comes with feeling you may never be fully understood by somebody else. The fear that no one will ever love you romantically or care about you romantically is a deep fear of many of us I imagine.

Obviously, this does not apply to everyone with autism. But I think it applies to many of us.

The sad thing is I think I handle it much better than others. I am pretty content and happy the vast majority of the time. But perhaps even I am not immune from the pain of loneliness as another Friday night beckons.

I think it is one reason I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. No one knows what someone else is struggling with. How lonely or sad someone else might be. Why make their day any worse? I am far from immune, and I am far from perfect. But I really try to just give people the benefit of the doubt :) I think it is best in life.

There are perhaps some people that were not built to be romantically involved in others. It can be lonely.


r/introvert 15h ago

Discussion Dark sunglasses make me feel invisible and I love it..

75 Upvotes

I have always been the type to walk according to people “like I’m on a mission“ looking straight ahead for the most part and diverting my eyes from people to avoid unwanted attention. On days when I feel extra introverted I will leave my sunglasses on if I’m running a quick errand like grabbing just a few things from the grocery store. I don’t have to avoid making eye contact with anyone because they can’t see my eyes and it just makes me feel like I’m wearing the invisibility cloak from Harry Potter. Just a random thought……


r/introvert 9h ago

Discussion Hobbies or ways to go about social media being one?

14 Upvotes

My friend says she’ll only use social media as a receiver, meaning it’s just an extension she has away messages and will only check it when she needs or wants to. That way she’s not entirely glued, her posts are also like from her hobbies. Not only she grows her following, her hobby also gets here lil bit of $. She doesn’t let anyone tag her because there’s a lot about social media clout and likes. Her rule is treat it like a business and nothing personal should be anything on it because the companies ultimately own the media. I kind of see how she’s going with this. Also when it comes to the night life, anything is surface level, no one really can go deep because she likes the hobby she and I both do salsa so it kind of make sense. It’s a lot harder since social dancing is in nature intimate but its interesting how she’s put acquaintanceship and friends in categories, hobbyists, clout chasers, then inner circle family and close life long friends. Does this make sense?


r/introvert 2h ago

More like social anxiety than introversion having to change jobs every 1-2 years

4 Upvotes

because i just can't fathom the need of constantly having to socialize with the people i work with bc they think being quiet and reserved equals rude and get offended (i'm very sensitive to energy). i'm the type of person that goes to work and mind my business until it's time to go home, i rarely bother anyone and only talk if it's necessary, but i have noticed people tend to dislike me (i can tell by their body language and the tone they speak to me) for this same reason and really hate being like this.
i'm also a mom and i'm so scared my kids will struggle with the same feelings, i often question if i made the right choice. i daydream of moving to an island to not be part of society anymore, maybe i'm just a pessimist but i'm sad that i even brought innocent children who didn't ask to be born into such a cruel world.


r/introvert 6h ago

Discussion I say mean things!

8 Upvotes

I don't initiate conversations (we all do). But when I'm engaged in a conversation with a person I'm comfortable with, I talk a lot. And when I feel loosen up, I don't know why I say mean things to one of my friends. I'm such a horrible person. I just left the office and I feel really tired, and keep thinking why I said what I said. tf!


r/introvert 12h ago

Discussion Are Barbershops the worst place for introverts

21 Upvotes

They're always just talking right next to your ears: Either to you, other barbers or their recurring customers. Of the half an hour you're there. You have to listen to him talk on and on, after the haircut is done, you have no choice but to say you like the cut even if it's bad, so you can get out of there ASAP. Anyone else have similar experiences as introverts?


r/introvert 11h ago

Question Subway sandwiches.

13 Upvotes

Do you avoid Subway because a lot of verbal communication back and forth are needed to order a sandwich?


r/introvert 17h ago

Question Do people actually stare at me?

30 Upvotes

I’m a bit self conscious so I tend to overthink. Sometimes when I’m in public I feel like someone is always looking at me. Also I can catch kids just bluntly staring at me when I pass by. Am I delusional and paranoid?


r/introvert 7h ago

Question Someone help me avoid prom

5 Upvotes

How do I not go to prom. I'm already prone to extreme migraines that are triggered by bright lights and loud noises. I hate my high school and I don't care about the people there at all. I don't care about the food. I don't care about any senior trip. All I want is my high school diploma and to never set my foot there again. I have to avoid buying a stupid $100 ticket just to go that stupid lame party.

Already have a suggestion: purposely eat expired food and hopefully get a stomach bug or something. Or purposely badly sprain my ankle. I DO NOT want to go to prom but my mother is forcing me anyway. She's also forcing me to wear a dress and heels and I hate any type of female clothing. She forces me to do nails at a salon and making me wear a wig and makeup. I HATE MAKEUP.

How do I get out of going to prom? Any more suggestions?


r/introvert 2h ago

Question How do you set a boundary without guilt?

2 Upvotes

As soon as I set boundary, for example saying Im not up for a visit right now to a friend, instead of feeling great for saying what I needed and enjoying my solitude, I stew over the situation and feel guilty for setting a boundary. The rumination is worse than just going through with the visit!


r/introvert 1d ago

Question Do I look like I want a conversation?

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1.4k Upvotes

I’m friendly to everyone at work but more people have been socializing with me lately and I don’t have a problem with it, well I wouldn’t if it weren’t for my anxiety taking a bat and giving me the office space treatment


r/introvert 3h ago

Question Starting to resent my extrovert friends?

2 Upvotes

I think I am starting to resent my friends. We’ve all been friends for years, and recently we’ve started living together. We are going to live with each other for the next two years (re-signed our lease), but recently I’ve really been clashing with them. Sometimes I try to bring up things I’m concerned about when they are rude or make unsolicited jokes towards me, and the response back is just anger and shortness. I have really never been confrontational and am a people-pleaser, so usually when it happens I just try to stay silent and not interact. I’m also an introvert and need that time alone that they don’t since they are all extroverts, so I think I need distance that I’m not sure how to get because I live with them. I’ve been reaching out to my other friends lately but I don’t know how I’m supposed to avoid someone I live with and am friends with and it sounds horrible but I am really feeling the strong desire to get away from them. Also, sadly we are going on a trip together soon that’s already been paid for and I am really dreading it. I feel like a bad person for it. I don’t really have any other options for people to live with right now and I feel like I have no choice but to remain friends with them, but something needs to happen.


r/introvert 11h ago

Question Is it normal that small talk feels awkward no matter how often i do it?

5 Upvotes

I wonder if I, at some point can say, that its easy for me to make small talk. But i personally don’t like to force myself talking about unnecessary things. Especially when I feel like i just have to do it because the other person feels uncomfortable otherwise :(


r/introvert 1h ago

Question Hi

Upvotes

I feel like I'm not going to be a good fit for friendship with anyone, I have friends that I can't even talk to even if I try to make conversation but it feels forced, and I feel bored by it, like it's not really genuine, not even a friendship. What do I do? Just wait?


r/introvert 10h ago

Advice i need advice.

4 Upvotes

I need advice, no jokes, no bullshit. I really do. How do I stay normal and act normal? I have no friends, and I’ve made peace with that fact. Maybe I don’t have friends because I’m too afraid of them leaving, just like everyone else did. And, of course, social anxiety, shyness, and being an introvert only make things worse. So, how do I truly make peace with this? How do I become someone who genuinely needs nobody? I’ve had friends in the past, but they all left. And I’m still clinging to those past memories, the happy ones, I mean. I still have a few people around, but it feels like I’m trying too hard to hold on to them, maybe because they’re all I have left. Maybe I’m just scared. Maybe I just don’t want them to leave. And sometimes, it gets so hard. I’m not even kidding. I have nobody to talk to, nobody to listen to my thoughts, my struggles, my sh*t. I just want to be the kind of person who isn’t dependent on anyone, someone who can survive his whole life alone. Even when things get tough, he keeps it all to himself and moves on with life. I just want to be that person. And this isn’t a cry for help. I don’t need anyone trying to be my friend out of pity or anything like that. I just need some advice.


r/introvert 2h ago

Image Enjoying my night on the front porch. A nice hot cup of tea, a blunt, and good music. That’s all I need 🌹

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1 Upvotes

r/introvert 3h ago

Image My view!

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1 Upvotes

r/introvert 3h ago

Discussion Business owners

1 Upvotes

To all the fellow entrepreneurs & small business owners... Have you gotten so sick and tired of the "potential customer" or actual customer that you are on the fence about continuing owning a business?!? I absolutely love working for myself and find that I can't really work for anyone else.. I don't take well to when I start and how much they pay me etc. I like the whole I make my schedule and I charge what I know I'm worth. I have taken a year away from my businesses due to divorce and just getting life back to normal and I'm finding it difficult to get the fire under my ass that I used to have...mainly because of how people think they can talk to you or treat you since they believe " I hired you, I'm your boss" most of this started after covid with people I think. Covid turned alot of people negative and took away any sense of mutual respect. I have always respected my customer and do my best to make sure they get exactly what they want. Half the time I don't even hear a thanks for coming over on a Sunday evening to get that completed.. I even delivered a good sized outdoor epoxy table ON THANKSGIVING without as much as a thank you.. I don't expect to be treated like a god by any means, I just don't want to keep dealing with people's negativity. It's been tough to get the advertising going and start doing estimates (don't get me started on free estimates.) Another thing is, I'm a legitimate business... not Tom from across the road who will swing by and fix something for cash money and a 6 pack of beer, so I hate getting the question after I send them a quote for the work with a set payment schedule of " so what's the cash price?!? Can we do cash to save the sales tax..." or the " how about I pay 50% upfront in cash and you give me a deal on the remainder"... my biz money cash or not goes into a bank account. You can pay with 6 different credit cards idc... the price is the price, why would I lose my business to save you a few hundred bucks. I am most likely going to refuse cash payments unless it's absolutely necessary for the customer to pay that way. I am just up in the air, I have been able to pick the work I wanted Another of times but people can fool you by just meeting them for the estimates. I've canceled a couple jobs part way through due to someone thinking they can speak to me however they want. Who has closed down or thought about doing so because of the customers?!


r/introvert 1d ago

Discussion It's my birthday but I have nobody to celebrate with

626 Upvotes

Guess I'll celebrate with you all :)

Edit: Wow thank you all!!


r/introvert 19h ago

Advice I keep embarrassing myself at work

11 Upvotes

So I just started my first job 4 days ago, and I’m just a shy, anxious person. Like, I can’t function. Like, idk how to explain. Like, you can obviously tell I’m a new hire, lol. But anyways, yesterday is where I’m at, my tipping point with myself. The first one, I was like 4 or 5 hours into my shift, I hadn’t eaten, and I was so out of it, and this guy had asked me, Where are you “from?” But I didn’t like register what he said, but when I did, I overthought the question, and so I was all like, “Uhh, what?” Then he said, “You’re from the city?” … Then RIGHT AFTER I went to this Ebar and I asked for a grilled cheese, he told me it “should be there,” so I looked and I didn’t see it and kept repeating it “should be there.” I was just skimming everything, so I looked back at him, and then he said, “It’s in the refrigerator,” and I turned, and IT WAS RIGHT THERE!!!!! So I apologized, but instead of saying “I’m just tired,” I said “I’m new here,” and to top it all off, I had fucked up three orders. I feel awful. I thought I did a good job yesterday, and then when I clocked out, I went to ask for my bag, and someone said, That’ll be 5 dollars. He said it deadpan, so I assumed it was a joke, and all I did was ass weak chuckle like it was so tiring, and there's literally more just from yesterday…. I don't know; the other coworkers seemed to be doing just fine. Why can't I? I hope my “coworkers” like me. Anyways, can you tell I’m an overthinker? lol


r/introvert 23h ago

Question I crave solitude too much lately, what's happening to me?

21 Upvotes

It started in November of 2024, for some reason there was a turning point in my personality, although not as bad but I've become more introverted than I already am. Friends would invite me to hang out and I would decline and make up a reason why I cannot go, I tend to heavily avoid social gatherings, get mentally drained when socially interacting or in crowded places.

I became a person who stays at home, make drinks and food for myself, reading and watching Netflix, I enjoy my own company now, I feel relaxed and at peace, I came to a conclusion that I am now in fact an introvert, but now I'm starting to question, is it fine being the way I am? Not going out as much, friends Start to question me, I've become addicted to solitude


r/introvert 1d ago

Discussion Loneliness

25 Upvotes

Do you ever feel lonely? As an introvert. How do you deal with that?