Human Parts
Being Alone Is Great, but Sometimes I Think I Should Feel Guilty
But I don’t — I’m a happy introvert who wants to save the world
Covid was a real eye-opener for me. I found out I’m a lot more introverted than I realized.
I was “stuck” for a year and a half in Bali in a very nice but nearly empty hostel, and my only interactions were 5-minute socially distanced greetings when I came down for a meal or went out for a walk. It was enough interaction to help me feel I was still connected to the human race, but there were no social expectations, no obligations, no listening to someone’s angsty partner problems … basically, a bit of genuine warmth at the cost of loss of emotional depth.
It suited me really well.
I’ve always been the friend who was like: I’ll drive you across the country or help you clean up after the tornado, but don’t cry on my shoulder please. Emotional distress makes me run away. I don’t know if I’m an overly sensitive person or just incredibly selfish, but I can’t bear to be around people in deep pain or who just want to “process” their emotions with me.
Even so, I do care.
A few years ago on my birthday I wanted to do something generous (instead of buy myself a gift). A…
