I enjoy spending time online with a few people. I would enjoy spending time out with some close friends (even tho i have no irl friends lol). But when I go to parties or weddings or birthdays, I come home tired asf and just need some time alone. I also have social anxiety and a stutter which has affected my social life alot causing me to grow more introverted and hate social interactions especially irl. I mostly read, watch anime, listen to songs or play games which I've heard are more related to introverts but idk. What do y'all think? Am I an introvert or not?

Body: "Hey Reddit! I’m a 15-year-old introvert who’s passionate about exploring everything under the sun (and beyond!). Being an introvert, I find it easier to connect over shared interests, so I thought I’d put myself out there and share some of my hobbies.

Here’s a glimpse into what keeps me curious:

Designing and launching model rockets—dreaming of contributing to space exploration someday.

Researching fusion reactors because sustainable energy fascinates me.

Experimenting with a Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) to explore the nanoscale world.

Coding and creating small apps, combining creativity with problem-solving.

Exploring 3D modeling in Blender—still learning, but it’s fun!

Reading about space, science, and technology (a huge sci-fi fan too).

I guess you could say I’m a jack of all trades. I love learning about new things, even if I’m not an expert. Being curious makes life exciting!

As an introvert, I’m not great at starting conversations in person, but I’m always up for a chat online—especially about hobbies, projects, or cool science ideas. I’d love to connect with people my age who share similar interests, whether it’s rockets, coding, or just being curious about the world.

So, what’s your favorite hobby or project right now? Any other introverts out there who enjoy exploring everything like I do?"

I'm going to the gynecologist for the first time, and I'm a nervous wreck.

I have anxiety and due to past traumas I don't like to be touched, being in new situations or being in small spaces with men I don't know. For these reasons I never been to a checkup, and now I'm 24, started to have problems with my reproductive health so I need to go. I booked the appointment 8 weeks ago to have time to prepare myself mentally but I failed. My checkup is on Wednesday I'm sweating all the time, I'm nervous and a weak ago I had a very bad panick attack.

What are your experiences? Is it that scary how my friends describe it? What should I do to feel less nervous? Any advice will be much appreciated.

So my job has this position where you have to go around making sure lines have work and you take empty carts. And I absolutely hate this task because I feel like I get in the way when I’m trying to be helpful.

Today, we had 6 of us helping which I think is overkill. But it was annoying because wools were still complaining that they had no help and the managers were asking where we are. This kind of put pressure on me to try and move fast and busy.

But there’s points throughout the day where there’s nothing for me to do but I can’t just stand there so I’m looking for someone to help and everyone doesn’t need it or someone else is waiting to help them.

Or everyone else is running back and forth rushing and I’m trying to find something to be just as busy. It’s just overwhelming sometimes for my brain, all the chaos and keeping up with what to do.

And I want to do a good job for everyone and not be a slacker or slow, but I just get in the way sometimes I feel.

Once I would have said that I’m paranoid and no one is actually looking at me, but today my sibling noticed a guy literally snap his neck to look at me. It’s so annoying. Staring is super rude! I was raised that way. Which is how I’m able to just kinda ignore people because why do I need to stare you down? But lately it’s just been people watching me and when I meet their eyes, they quickly look away. Or some just continue to stare. Genuinely pisses me off.

I am 25, and today I realized that I have no one to talk to about the things that trouble me. I tried to open up to someone when they asked how I was doing, but it turned out it was just a formality. I understand that everyone has their own problems, and I’m not forcing anyone to help me. But damn, it turns out I really need someone who would put a hand on my shoulder and say, “It will pass.”

Hello, fellow Redditors!

I’m a 25-year-old guy, much like a solitary cloud drifting through life, searching for a kindred spirit to share meaningful conversations and perhaps build something deeper over time. As the song "Alone" resonates, "I'm not gonna make it alone."

I’m deeply passionate about literature, culture, history, and philosophy. I love diving into thoughtful discussions, exploring ideas, and exchanging perspectives on art, life, and the world. My interests also extend to politics and sports, and I’m always eager to learn and grow through meaningful connections.

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one.'" I’m seeking that moment of connection, where shared interests and mutual understanding lead to a lasting bond.

It would be wonderful if you speak Arabic, as it’s a language close to my heart, but that’s not a dealbreaker—I believe understanding and connection go beyond words. I’m hoping to meet someone who values life’s depth and appreciates the joy of discovering new ideas and stories together.

If this resonates with you, let’s talk and see where our conversation takes us. Perhaps our paths have crossed for a reason, and we’re meant to wander together.

If you feel this isn't for you, an upvote would be appreciated to help me find the one I'm searching for.

Looking forward to hearing from you! 🌟

I see myself as an introvert. I'm not very good at communicating. I mostly stay quiet because I don't know what to say or talk about. I think I can come off as awkward or boring because I stay too quiet and give short replies when I'm out with friends or in social gatherings.

However, when I'm drinking I become a completely different person. All my mental blocks are gone and my conversations can just flow. I might say some weird or awkward thing sometimes because I'm not always fully thinking before talking, but it's 100% worth it because I feel like I can truly be myself.

I'm well aware of the effects of alcohol and it's called "liquid courage" for a reason. I'm just so curious about it because there are so many people out there who are like that while sober, so I feel like if they can, why can't I? Can I learn to "reach my drunk self" while sober or will my brain forever be in this garbage state?

I'm 54, almost 55. I never realized until this holiday how much my entire life "functions" around me masking my introversion. A lot of people who know me in a superficial way (clients/ not close friends) would probably be surprised if I talked about being an introvert because I am very chatty and gregarious when comfortable with people. I can be very engaging and (not to sound like a total pompous ahole) charming in conversation and in situations where I need to be "on" like public speaking, leadership opportunities, etc.

However, I am just now realizing how much engaging and even just being present for others can completely unglue me if I have to do too much of it. The funny part is that previously I just thought I couldn't handle being around my husband's family too much because they're more extraverted and want to hang together so much, but this Thanksgiving, we did the holiday with MY family, and I was surprised to figure out that my family triggers me just as much!!! I nearly had 2 meltdowns because I felt compelled to spend every waking minute with the family. Everyone was kind and behaved, but I just cannot handle that much togetherness. And, then when I want to go zone out on my phone, I take heat for disengaging and not being "social". However, my family just cannot grasp how necessary it is for me to be left alone for a while. It's perceived as me being rude or antisocial.

I'm trying to figure out what sort of hard boundaries I need to put in place to help me keep my sanity in these type of obligated social situations and how I could implement them. I am not sure how to communicate my needs effectively to my family/people who care about me. I feel like I can only take 3 concentrated days engaging before I start to lose it, and that might be pushing it. I mean, I love these people, but I just can't handle so much togetherness!

Professionally, I am an esthetician and my whole focus is engaging with people and caring for them. I do it fine, but when I get home from work, I am totally emotionally drained. I have to be a zombie a while before I can engage again. I am in the process of pivoting to doing content creation, so I'm hoping that when I finalize the career change, I can seriously decrease the energy drain of daily person-to-person interactions.

With regard to family, I'm not sure how to advocate for needs without people taking offense. For example, I like going for long walks for the health benefits but also for preserving my emotional well-being. Every time I say that I am going for a walk, people pipe up and say, "Oh, I want to go with you!" I obliged the first day, but then the second day, I tried to discourage them again by saying I was going to go on a long aggressive walk, and still people wanted to come with me.

How do you say to people "No, thanks, I'd rather be alone" or "I'm glad to help with this, but then I need to do somethings just for myself" without alienating people who care about you? I feel like it comes off as rude. I haven't figured out how to protect my emotional well-being when compelled to spend a lot of time with people, and not having dedicated down time is what usually leads to my melting down.

Thoughts/suggestions for establishing healthy boundaries with people who don't get that I'm masking a lot of the time just to be with them? This could even extend to my husband. He gets anxious when I get quiet for too long.

When I'm stressed, I don't like talking to people around me haha or talking in general about those things. How about you, guys? Anyway, I am 22 (F). Still in college. If you'd like to talk about books, movies, coffees, and etc. Feel free to message me or reply here. Thanks!

In the middle of cleaning my house and I’m having extroverted thoughts - I want to invite all my friends to my house and host a Xmas party. I know in an hour I will not feel this way but damn stop me from group texting my people.

The other day, I missed out on a big event my neighbors did because they had made plans during a thing that I didn’t feel like going to previously that I politely declined (I was in a bad headspace and needed alone time) but this is apparently where they made their plans. When I asked them about why I wasn’t invited, it was like “oh, sorry! We made plans at the thing you didn’t want to go to!” As if it wouldn’t take like three seconds to text me and let me know. It was obvious they were blaming me for not knowing about it. Anyway, does anyone else ever go through things like this?

Hi guys. Need to share something. I’m always exhausted, both- physically and mentally. I know mentally I’m not doing well as this year has been a rough one in every sense and on top of that, I just no longer have the energy to deal with people.

People text me on Instagram and I just don’t open their texts, I have DMs that I have not opened for weeks and when they call me, I just watch the phone ring, I have no desire or energy to talk on calls for 2-3 hours as it drains my energy beyond repair.

I have 1 close friend and I only hang out with her every week or whenever we can, sometimes I’m exhausted with her too but since she knows me and stuff it’s not that bad but with others? Idk, I have tried to talk more on texts and calls but I’m seriously not doing well right now. I feel like a terrible person because I keep ghosting people, I tell them it’s me and I’m not well but still, I feel bad for not replying or answering their calls.

The only time I’m available immediately is when someone needs me. I make sure to be there for people but general conversations? They ruin me. Does this happen to you as well? Calls are way too worse because the other person never shuts up and keeps going for more than 1 hour and I never have the balls to tell them that I need to go.

What are the bad things an introvert can do and still be called as an introvert.

To the point where you just wanna sleep all day? I also don't get hungry after a hangout that can go for a day or two or maybe more.

As i try to pay attention in class they just interrupt it and be very loud as well as the girls only 1 girl and me is quiet their just so loud thank god they go outside in recess i think get some rest and do things but the teacher sometimes ruin it they think im sad which im NOT they try to comfort me i just keep quiet and smile do you have anything like this im sure.

So I have been a parent for about 4 years. And I remember when we had our first it was hard for me. The newborn phase was awful as my wife and I just felt like our free time was just ripped from us. Over time I adjusted and learned to use my time wisely to get some time to myself everyday. And as we have seen our kid grow it's gotten better. However 2 moths ago we had our second and I am really losing my mind. I will usually come home everyday and spend my evenings between 5-8 hanging out with family and getting some basic housework things done. 8 is when my oldest goes to bed. And I have always used that time between 8-10 as my time to unwind and recharge my introverted batteries. The first month of his life our newborn was great. He wouldn't sleep through most the night only waking up to eat. Now he will sleep well when he sleeps during the day but at night. Right when it's my time for my alone time he fights sleep and will not go to sleep for 2-3 hours.. By the time we get him down it's time for me to go to bed and I feel ripped off of my alone time. It's making me grouchy it's making me short and it's making me an awful husband and father because the family i love is feeling like a major inconvenience. On top of it we are in the middle of the busiest time of the year for us and that is making the situation worse. I'm really in the midst of a hard time and just don't know what to do.

I don't mean skills, I mean I want to understand the conversation objectively and scientifically, and I want to understand the structure of the conversation for different types of it, for example small talk, discussions, stories, communicating feelings effectively. I want the book to be objective and scientific

"I don't want you to teach me shipbuilding skills, teach me ship science and I'll discover the skills myself"

27m. For the past almost two years now, I’ve been living quite remotely in a small countryside town. I quit my job back then and moved here because I was entirely burnt out and at the time I feel it was what I really needed. But I’ve noticed, since going from a routine where I interacted with many people daily, to now where the little interaction I do have is with close family.. my social skills have terribly regressed. I never was a super outgoing or charismatic person, but I managed. But now I feel like I can barely hold a conversation to save my life, as if my mind just blanks and I feel super awkward. Its really given my self confidence a knock

Has anyone else experienced this? And if so how did you manage it

i would rather have myself assumed as a complicated human than a simple one. i think one of the reasons, i might have a repulsive attitude towards religion can be that religion makes people naive! thats just my opinion. i want to mold and fold and tie things to make something out of it. i want to think and think till the day i die. i'd rather be a stuck chess game that makes someone scratch their skin or a jicksaw puzzle that causes itching in your blood than just being a simple girl. i like the idea of me having bizarre philosophy and absurd questions that will only make sense to the people who think to the core. i am not what i want to be or nearly close to the idea i have of myself but i think, though as a matter of fact i barely think, that to be is to imagine first!

Why is it so hard to find long term friends...

Hi I'm 17F and I tried looking for friends online (just wanna have some international friends yk). But dang like most people I run into here are a bunch of creeps like I mean the age gaps, I mean I think its alright but the things that they talk about are just weird you know like inappropriate. Most of the people I met also kind of seem rude like the cursing and stuff. There are some who just ghost you without a reason. I also struggle with talking to other people. I just want a genuine friendship without revealing faces😔

I recently cut ties with my university friends because they were being disrespectful, and ever since, I’ve been trying to build new connections. I often see others in groups, joking around in chats, and I miss that sense of belonging. Beyond friendships, though, I’ve been really reflecting on my dating life—or lack thereof. I’ve never dated anyone in my life, and it’s starting to weigh on me.

I’ve tried dating apps, but they haven’t worked for me(I’ve got 0 matches). I’m planning to attend a speed dating event next week, which I’m nervous about because I’m not sure how it’ll go. I want to meet someone organically, but that’s easier said than done.

I’ve also joined spaces aligned with my interests, like sports rec leagues, hoping I’d meet someone, but nothing ever develops beyond polite conversation. Sometimes, I wonder if I come across as boring, even though I try my best to engage and be genuine.

Now, I’m considering using Meetup.com to find events and connect with people. Still, dating and forming deeper relationships have been such a challenge for me lately. If anyone has advice or suggestions on meeting new people or navigating the dating world, I’d really appreciate it!

Something I noticed throughout my life when observing people is that the people who were always surrounded by others were extremely fake and sanctimonious. They spent all their lives playing this sort of character in order to "fit in" and be socially accepted and others went along with the game for the same motives.

From my perspective it always seemed so pathetic watching these people play pretend knowing once I started talking to them 1 to 1 they would show their true colours and start talking badly about each other. How is it even possible to value human interaction knowing this is the case the majority of the time?

People think my life is sad and boring because I don’t act like a clown at every party. I’m not out here cracking jokes and making a scene when everyone else is hyped up. They assume I’m this serious robot, working nonstop with zero fun. Some might even think I’m a “boring” weirdo who doesn’t know how to live life.

But here’s the truth: I’m living my best life, just in my own way. I binge-watch movies like a pro in my free time (don’t even ask how many I’ve seen), have deep and random conversations with my close friends, and, like every other guy, I totally check out girls. I mean, who doesn’t? It’s an art. I talk to random people all the time—sometimes it’s just for fun, other times, I’m sliding into DMs for some spicy dating action. The thrill of meeting new people and seeing where it goes? Priceless. Oh, and I love to travel, but I’m a lone wolf—I don’t need a squad, just me, my backpack, and the open road. I read books that don’t even have the word “academic” in them, and yes, I waste a ridiculous amount of time scrolling through Instagram, stalking people’s stories like I’m on a mission.

So, yeah, while I may not always be jumping up and down with excitement, trust me, I’m living my life and loving it.

As for what I am—introvert, shy, or ambivert? Honestly, I have no idea. I’m probably all of those in one. But one thing’s for sure: my life is far from boring, it’s just got a little more swag and mystery than people expect.

I don't know am i an introvert I have preformance anxiety and im a pretty quiet person I mostly mind my own business with headphones always on but if im with my friends, no matter where we are or what we're doing, im the complete opposite😭 I don't know which one that makes me

My family and I moved states two years ago to a suburb of a metroplex. We came from a small town where just about everyone knew each other, and everyone knew your business, most of the time before you even did yourself.

We (mostly me) were really burned out by people at the time of the move, so we embraced the anonymity of city life and didn't make any attempts to go out and make new friends and acquaintances, we all just hung out together as a family and have done lots of bonding, which I have loved. The kids are in school and they go over to friends houses quite often, so they aren't suffering socially. I work from home at a remote company so I do get to socialize a little that way, just not in person.

After having spent the last 2.5 years recovering from the emotional overload from our old town and protecting my peace (maybe a little too hard), I am finally ready to start some light socializing. But being an introvert, it's hard and I don't know where to start. Honestly, I'm a little scared to try to befriend people, because I prefer a quality over quantity of friends. It's almost like dating. If I start hanging out with a new person but end up not liking them, then it's awkward to see them around. I also don't even know how to approach people, I have terrible social anxiety.

All this to say, does anyone have any advice on this? How best to venture in easily, handle 'breakups', etc?

Hi there! I (29 F) often feel overwhelmed with what the world expects of us "adult women".

There are times when I think "my career is going well, and in a few years it will really take off once I get more experience". Then I realize: in a few years it might be time to start a family. The time for having a super awesome career is actually right now.

In that case, are things really going according to plan? Or am I actually already 5 years behind?

I'm not sure I know what it means to be an adult woman anymore. Sometimes I feel like my own individual, and I'm proud of myself for all the things I do/did. And there are just as many times when I feel like, actually, there is a specific timeline, a hidden blueprint to being an adult, and I'm not smart enough to figure out the entire thing.

I know my question sounds too general. But I'm curious to find out what other women experience in terms of the "approaching 30 and not having life figured out yet" feeling? Do you have a totally different experience than me? Did these conflicting feelings disappear once you crossed the magical barrier if 30?

I've been a introvert most of my life. I became single again recently so I've been trying to make friends again.( I wasn't allowed to have friends while I was in the relationship.) I lost the friend group I had and now I'm stuck in the position of having to make new friends. After years of not being allowed to communicate with others and being unable to comfortably talk to people. It's just been a tough time all together.