Am I Really an Introvert or Just Tired of People?

The silent battle....

Let’s be honest: we'd all rather have a cozy day in than go out and engage with people. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.

But sometimes, we don’t get what we want. No matter how much we try to avoid it, interacting with people is inevitable—even if we’d rather not.

Imagine that moment when you’ve finally resigned yourself to going out, accepting your fate. Then, you get the dreaded text: “Hey, we’re bringing two more people!” Suddenly, your energy drains faster than your phone battery at 2%. We’ve all been there, right?

But it makes me wonder—am I really an introvert, or are people just draining the life out of me?

You know that feeling after a long day of work or classes, when the thought of going out feels like someone asking you to run a marathon when you can barely muster the strength to walk to your room?

It’s not just physical tiredness. It’s mental exhaustion. You’re tired of small talk, of pretending to care about things you couldn’t care less about, of forcing yourself to have "fun."

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy hanging out with people. I really do. But some days, all I want is to lay in bed, minding my business without having to deal with anyone. Is that too much to ask?

Sure, people can be great. But you know what’s even greater? Silence—Solitude.

The simple joy of sitting in your own space, eating your snacks without having to share or explain why you’ve been in the same spot all day with your favourite book.

And then there’s the guilt trip: “Oh, you didn’t come to the last hangout?” No, I didn’t. Because y'all talk too much, and my social battery only lasts about as long as a WhatsApp status update—24 hours, max, or even less.

And speaking of WhatsApp statuses, let’s not forget how I keep checking them just to avoid real conversations. You see me viewing your status, but not replying to your DMs. Sorry, but I genuinely have no idea what to say.

Somewhere along the line, introversion became the trendy term for "I don’t want to deal with people today."

But is that really it? Maybe I’m not the textbook definition of introvert. I like hanging out… sometimes. It’s fun to catch up with friends and chat about random things—until it’s not. Then, it’s like someone hit my reset button, and I’m left with zero energy to give.

Some might say it's social anxiety, but let’s be real—sometimes, it’s just plain “people fatigue”. There’s a difference between being truly introverted and just being tired of constant interaction.

Here’s the funny part: it’s not that I don’t like people. I love my people! I can spend hours with them, chatting, eating suya, sharing book recommendations.

But the more I think about it, the more I realize—it’s the constantness (yes, I just made that a word). The never-ending expectation to be available, to respond, to be “on” all the time. It’s draining.

And don’t even get me started on small talk. I hate small talk with everything in me. Why are we pretending to care about the weather when we both know we just want this conversation to end?

Let’s face it, people can be exhausting. Even when they’re not doing anything wrong, just existing in your space can feel tiring. Sometimes, I wonder—do I avoid certain social gatherings because of social anxiety, or is it just that people do too much?

At the end of the day, whether you’re an introvert, extrovert, or simply tired of the noise, it’s okay to take a step back and say, “I need a break.” You don’t owe anyone an explanation for choosing peace over pointless conversation.

We all face that silent battle between wanting to be out there and just wanting to be left alone. You’re not alone in that struggle.

So, next time someone asks why you didn’t show up to the party, just smile and say, “Maybe next time.” Or don’t.

Because if we’re being honest, staying home in comfy clothes, binge-watching your favorite shows without interruptions sounds like a wayyy better option.

So, am I really an introvert, or just tired of people? Maybe a little bit of both. But for now, I’m embracing my peace, and I’m not apologizing for it.

If you’ve ever felt this struggle of balancing social life and sanity, drop a comment and let us know how you manage social pressure.

And hey, don’t forget to subscribe and share this with someone who needs to hear it!

See you next time!

Ama 🤍