http://www.buzzfeed.com/erinlarosa/p...and#.nuYwaoG0M

27 Things that only Introverts Understand

>7 Having visitors stay with you is a nightmare, because it means you have to be on at ALL TIMES.

>17 When you have an awesome night out, but have to deal with feeling exhausted for days after the fact.


Mari

Yup. Especially the second. Sometimes it still takes me by surprise, even though I know to expect it by now. I even try to space out my social things, in order to accomodate "recovery time".

In the case of the first, I have managed by
1) Not having many visitors stay.
2) Typically having only very close friends stay, and not for long.
3) Sitting on the floor in the dark and telling visitor I was "not up to anything today". ("Dude. Your host is out to lunch. Go grab a sandwich in the kitchen and STFU.")
4) Having meltdowns when challenged on choice of (in)activity.
5) Taking naps at annoying times.

13. When you hear, “Are you OK?” or “Why are you so quiet?” for the umpteenth time. [When I was staying at my friend's last fall, his wife was CONSTANTLY asking me that. ]

Mostly #1 for me too. I cannot make plans to go out /meet anywhere.

#5 is funny

M

Oh, that one is hard.
It is hard in a work place environment too.

Sometimes it is better to tell them, "I am not o.k."

But then I would want to say the full truth which would be something like this:
"I am am never o.k. I am used to it. Please leave me alone."

M

Hahaaaa! ... and watch as your victim backs away, slowly, with hands raised in defense... "ok, ok, sorry." Then there are the "helpful" ones who will stay, and insist you confide in them...

I usually say that I'm just a bit tired... that usually goes over well, is usually true, and and doesn't require much energy/acting. But there are the few who then want to know if I am having "trouble sleeping".

Otherwise, the most efficient answer I've found is an emphatic "yes" with a very quick but genuine smile. "Yes... thank you. " is even better. The smile is essential though. It reassures people.

Oh, the delights of social gymnastics...