How do you cope with being an introvert?

[Daytripper]

Hi

I'm 26 and have Crohn's that likes to be active the majority of the time! I've had it for ten years now and am currently on fortnightly humira injections.

My question for all you chronies is how do you cope with being an introvert? I used to be out all weekend, every weekend and now I'm home pretty much every single night, and when I do make plans I'm always secretly hoping they get cancelled because I just hate going out now! I know if I go out, it will zap all of my energy and I will pay for it the next couple of days. I'm happy most of the time staying in, but sometimes I sit at home and feel guilty that I aren't making more of an effort with friends or getting out and doing anything. Does anybody else get these feelings? And how do you cope?

 

[fuzzy butterfly]

Hi yep total understand the feeling of not making an effort. I work and am out of my house for 11hrs a day with traveling and job. So i am bushed when i get home n just want to rest in peace n quite. My friends dont realise just how tired i really am. They say oh u must be tired but proceed to keep me up chatting in person or on the phone. Im to polite to say p... off n leave me alone . Im lucky in that i have always been happy in my own company so guess iv been an introvert mostly. Not as much as now tho. N its different if its by choice than bcoz u cant. . Best wishes

 

[ronroush7]

When I worked for a year, after my resection, commuting took a lot out of me.

2

 

[Justanothercp]

I totally understand.
Are your symptoms well controlled? That helps if you stabilize symptoms.
I was never a real party person or needed to go out much and of course this disease pushed me further in that direction.
Tough.

 

[Devera]

I have always been an introvert, now I just have a good excuse to stay home instead... I don't think my friends really understands how draining it is for me to go out, especially in bigger crowds. Going to a party equals spending the next day napping and watching netflix. As one of my friends put it, and I am sure many of you can relate to this - "I keep forgetting you have health issues. You don't look sick."

I try to show up for movie nights and such instead, with less people around, and preferrably only people I know well. But every now and then, I just push through and accepts that the next day will be wasted in bed. Thankfully my friends are really low maintenance, and we can pick right up where we left off, even if it has been months since we last saw each other. They are also really good at keeping inviting me, even though I hardly ever initiate anything in return. I also try to plan any social stuff on the days I am off work. On work days, I just want to be by myself and relax.

On that note, I did have that one friend that I eventually cut contact with. This was while I was still undiagnosed. She would call and ask me over, tell me that it would be just me and her, and when I got there, she would have a full house of (her) friends there, admitting she lied to me, knowing I wouldn't show up if I had known. Keeping up with her was just way too draining. She just couldn't see my side of things.

 

[fuzzy butterfly]

Hi can relate to a lot of what you say. I find work days i really tiring. I like to just chill when i get home. Take care x