Both introversion and chronic illness are incredibly misunderstood by the world at large.

For introverts, getting regular alone time is everything. We’re talking about your energy here. Your mental health. Your sanity.

In my fantasy world, at least a small sliver of TV provides a counter message.

Five minutes to decompress. Five minutes to collect myself. Five minutes to recharge. As an introvert, I desperately need those five minutes.

I begin imagining every terrible detail of what transpired. My mind becomes a vortex of dark thoughts and fears.

Quietly taking a step back just to watch the gyrating masses didn’t mean I was uncomfortable. I was taking in the moment in my own introverted way.

Let the blushing be. Chronic blushers do not need you to point out their visible insecurities; we usually know it is happening, and we can’t stop it.

So there I am, in the hell that too many introverts are familiar with. “Friendly” salespeople are demanding to pry me open with a jack-hammer.

If you’ve often found the world to be a looming and uncomfortable place to be, then you might be a highly sensitive person (HSP) like me.

“When you mobile order Starbucks from the parking lot, wait, walk in, grab it, and not have to talk to people.”