I have always been both extro- and introverted, with social activity being quite exhausting even when I enjoy it, but also happy to do nothing […]

This is actually textbook introvert. Ex/introverted has nothing to do with what you enjoy. It's about what "recharges your battery" and gives you the strength to continue.

Do you remember during lockdowns there were those people who were absolutely losing their minds because they missed being around people so much? Those are extraverts. They need people to recharge their batteries like you or I need our alone time to recharge ours.

People who need people, lol

[–] SuperNovaStar@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 3 days ago (2 children)

So what if I both get energy from and am exhausted by people? I go crazy if I spend too much time alone AND too much time with people.

It's like a crazy dysregulated roller coaster thing

[–] knightly@pawb.social 6 points 3 days ago (1 children)

The term is "ambiverted".

[–] SuperNovaStar@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 3 days ago (1 children)

In my case I think it's "AuDHD" 🤣

And I suspect that whether/how much I feel the need to mask plays a big factor.

[–] knightly@pawb.social 4 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Mood and same, yeah. XD

[–] grrgyle@slrpnk.net 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

That actually sounds like you might be both tbh. I would have thought would be a good thing, though. Like you're able to recharge from both AC & DC, to continue the battery metaphor lol.

Also maybe I'm wrong but I think most introverts need some minimum level of socializing after a while, even if it's draining, the are many benefits that outweigh the energy expenditure.

[–] AbnormalHumanBeing@lemmy.abnormalbeings.space 4 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

Hmmm, I think with that definition I am for sure more on the introverted end, but reflecting on it, I am still uncertain if it's clear-cut.

While I was very unambivalent in my first assessment, I can think of social situations that have been regenerating to me, even ones that may seem paradoxical - like having a lot of people (I trust) around me enjoying themselves loudly on drugs and alcohol, while I stay sober and listen to them talk to me uninhibited and without a filter. And I did miss being around people, sometimes desperately so, although maybe not to the degree you are describing.

But I've also always struggled with clear-cut categories like that, feeling like a completely different person at different times of my life, so, I guess I don't know if I am just overthinking it. 🤷 If seen on a scale/spectrum, definitely more weight on the introverted side, though.

[–] grrgyle@slrpnk.net 2 points 2 days ago

But I've also always struggled with clear-cut categories like that, feeling like a completely different person at different times of my life, [...]

I hear that. I think a spectrum/scale is probably more helpful than a binary A | B divide, and yeah also heavily context dependent. Like even really severe introverts usually have some close "inner circle" people who they don't find draining.

I also relate to feeling alone in a crowd, where you can sort of spectate the socializing without actually being the focus of it. Or just being in an anonymous crowd so large that you feel alone (the crush of humanity--the thing I miss the most about living in s big city).

Anyway, not that I'm looking for universal metrics, but just to say that most introverts probably aren't 100% that way -- they might just need every other weekend to themselves or something.

[–] devfuuu@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

Lockdown really was rhe best thing to happen im recent years 😌

[–] RowRowRowYourBot@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

I thought some trashmonster sung that people who need people are the luckiest people in the world?