I love the cartoon, Beth! That is me to a T. It's exactly what I was doing at the party where I met my husband (we are both cat lovers). I'm jealous you have goats, by the way.

One of the joys for me of having this forced time to recover after surgery is all the visiting! So many friends have come over to walk with me or just chat, and it has helped keep my spirits up. I couldn't be happier considering the circumstances.

ISFJ and HSP and I totally understand. At this stage in my life where I have small children I am bombarded with stimulation all the time I crave adult interaction but am also noise/touched out. When my kids go to bed I go to my room and hide. Even the TV noise is too much stimulation sometimes!

I thought I was in the middle, leaning towards introvert. I took one of the test Suz linked and it turns out I must just be lazy because I'm an ENFJ extrovert.

I am an introvert with extrovert tendencies. When I'm out I enjoy staying out. I enjoy laughing and talking to people. I love learning about there story and where did they journey from. I enjoy talking to people virtually and IRL.

I remember 3 or 4 years ago that I hated going out buy myself and I would sit in my car having to talk myself into going inside. Sometimes I will stay away from the world for a few days because it can be draining. Sometimes I just don't have the energy to be around people. A picture does not tell the whole story. Some days I will just drive around and be by myself. I just need to be quite and reflective. I do not really want to go out. I don't like to really be around people. When I go HOUSING (dancing) I say hello but, really don't talk to people. It is an ebb and flow.

LeDonna, I was waiting to hear from you - I would have bet on you being an extrovert! I'm hoping MsMary chimes in.

Ja, this is me. Added to the fact that I work a lot of nights and weekends. That's why if I overbuy or over-dupe going-out clothes, I am way into the imaginary lifestyle issue. It's much more important to have just a few road-tested, "love" , seasonally-appropriate FFBO's for going out and just grab, go, repeat.

I like going out but do need a lot of down time afterwards. I think getting out feeds our souls in a different way than staying home. I usually think that even if I am having a hard time making myself get out of the house I will feel better for having done it afterwards. And I like having a reason to dress up!

Maybe I'm even more extroverted than I think. I can't learn. My mom tells me not to talk to neighbors and I keep doing it. I have met the craziest people this way...ahaha! But I don't instigate. Is it really my fault?

Story: I ran into the husband back of us. And he was *like,* is your mom that sweet little Asian lady I see watering her cacti? I was *like* eh... My mom hates you! She tried to tell you that with the two breaths she's ever spared you. Lol! In my mind of course. Who else could it have been...but sweet? No. Lol!

Secret of extroverts #2: Maintain iron wall of delusion

Stay in or go out? Both.
I can get stuck inside and find it hard to go out. But once I am out I almost never regret it. But often I need to recharge afterwards.
And where I am going and how crowded/loud it is are big factors.

Love this, Janet! I'm also an INFP. I love that there are four or five of us just in this thread! I even have trouble being on a forum like this when my real life gets too overwhelming...

Special shout out to Una - I do like being around talkative extroverts. It takes the pressure off of me of trying to fill in all of the silence myself. I do like to talk too, if people ask the right questions... I also appreciate extroverted friends who make the effort to plan things. I find the logistical planning exhausting, and I also need to recover quietly after social interaction, but I very much appreciate the social time and spending time with friends and family! So we introverts need you.

Aw Sarah, you and your boy were so much fun - maybe next time not the Hard Rock though! Sending extra hugs.

I like being around extroverts too -- they bring me out of my shell, while also taking the pressure off of me to act the part of the outgoing one.

I am another INFP... and we are only 1% of the population. My DH is INTP so 'perfect' introverted match. I have just resigned myself to the fact that we just enjoy life by being alone. We work with a lot of people so need time alone and that is just it. I must function E as people always think I am highly extrovert... how funny that there are so many Is...