Introduction
No Thanks, I Don't Want a Walking Partner
Hermit Loner Comes Out
We Say ... They Hear
My Solution to Noise Pollution
Don't Pounce on Me
Setting Boundaries
The Territorial Thing
Good Things
The Irony of It All
A Planned Community -- for Introverts!!
No Thanks!
I Don't Want a Walking Partner
I take a solitary walk every day at lunchtime, during the work week. This serves two purposes – it gets me some badly needed exercise, and it gives me an hour away from my coworkers. I get outside when I can, and I’m happiest when I can manage to avoid encountering anyone I know while I’m out.
Sometimes, a well meaning person will notice my habit, and say something like: “Wow! It’s great that you do that every day. I know I should get some exercise, too. Maybe I could walk with you!” Oh my gosh, that is the last thing I want. Extroverts don’t understand that I am happy to go alone and indeed, prefer it. They think that because they would never want to go for a walk by themselves, that I surely must want company. I most assuredly do NOT!
I usually make some excuse. “Oh, that’s a nice idea, but really, I don’t go at the same time every day –my job, you know, I really can’t schedule my lunch hour, it just wouldn’t work.” Meanwhile, I am feeling that familiar internal panic at the thought of being intruded upon during this sacred hour of my day.
I wish I could just smile and say kindly, “No, thanks, I don’t want a walking partner” and be understood. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just clearly state our wishes and our needs to our extroverted friends, and be respected? Why do we feel we need to make excuses to people?
See you! I’m heading out for my walk now!
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