My Kryptonite

11 Replies

“Solitude matters, and for some people, it’s the air they breathe.”
― Susan Cain

I know which things are kryptonite to my HSP* Introvert temperament. I can list several:

  • Large social gatherings
  • Noisy, crowded places
  • Making a lot of small talk
  • Spending a large part of my day or evening socializing with not enough alone time
  • Engaging in a lot of new experiences/activities
  • Having a crowded schedule during the day with many demands on my time
  • Spending a lot of time on social media
  • Getting overstimulated by all of the above and becoming exhausted

So why do I forget all I know about what leads to a very unpleasant state of fatigue and feeling depressed, and engage in too much of the above list, then find myself suffering the previously mentioned consequences.

http://gph.is/XJkTR3

*Highly sensitive person

Featured comic strip image of Adventure Comics via Joel Kramer on Flickr. Exhaustion GIF via Giphy.

11 thoughts on “My Kryptonite”

  1. Maggie Wilson

    I’m an HSP, too – after reading Elaine Aron’s book, it made so much sense. But I didn’t necessarily apply my new understanding when I could have. Especially the social media thing! Just yesterday I questioned (for the umpteenth time) my Facebook account.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Deborah Drucker Post author

      Social media, and blogging, is like socializing. And it can eat up large chunks of my day. I can find I have gone overboard in my regular socializing, at gatherings etc., too. Then I pay the price later. Maybe I need to set a timer on my cell phone that warns me when I have reached my limit. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Maggie Wilson

        You can try that. 🙂 It will be helpful in the very least if it gets you up and away from your computer for a stretch and to rest your eyes. I feel, sometimes, a very strong negative gut reaction to my computer and just have to get away.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Deborah Drucker Post author

        Good to get up and take breaks from computer, definitely. I think I need to be better at paying attention to what I need, self-care. I read an article where the author said for every hour of socializing he needs 2 hours of alone time. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  2. joey

    Yes, yes, yes, all the yes. I am HSP too. Sometimes I think I’ve gotten a bit better with age, but really, I’ve just gotten better at saying No.
    For the internet there are things that help me feel alone, even when I can’t be — books and trees 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. Deborah Drucker Post author

      I know exactly what you are saying too. I have gotten better at saying no. But need to remind myself to be aware of social settings where I will be overstimulated and then make a plan with myself to get rest before or limit the time I stay there, even if I am having a good time. Nature and books are terrific. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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  3. JoAnna

    I am so with you on this. After attending a three events yesterday, going through my dad’s stuff today and a meeting tonight, I’m exhausted. Sent an email stepping out of some leadership responsibilities for an overdue break. I shouldn’t even be on the internet, but it was good to get this affirmation.

    Liked by 1 person

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