While we tend to split humans into two distinct groups, extroverts and introverts, the reality is a bit more complex. While some people find socializing 100% energizing and others find it 100% draining, most of us exist somewhere on the spectrum in between.
For people who do identify as introverts, however, a certain amount of social masking feels necessary to maintain social expectations and common courtesy. If someone invites you to a big party, you act excited about the invitation despite having zero desire to go. And if you do go to that big party, you stand near the wall and bob your head to the music, while secretly calculating the minutes until you can leave without appearing rude.
It’s not that you don’t like people. You probably have close friends and loved ones and enjoy hanging out with in small numbers. But invites from people you’re only semi-friends with or to gatherings that involve lots of people? That’s when the mask goes on.
Creator Brok Bresser demonstrated how introverts would respond if they didn’t wear that mask and it’s hilariously accurate. His “pov: if introverts were honest” video has 1.2 million likes on Instagram, with hordes of introverts feeling seen in the comments.
Watch:
That simple “I don’t want to” in response to “Why?” was felt in every true introvert’s heart.
“‘I don’t want to’ is REAL ðŸ˜ðŸ˜”
“Sorry I couldn’t answer your call. I didn’t want to.😔
“‘I wasn’t looking forward to it’ too real💀”
“What do you mean ‘HANG OUT LATER’? I’m using all my energy to be around you right now 🫠”
“Canceled plans are the best plans 🤷”
But some also pointed out a rather ironic truth:
“Buuuuttttt hear me out… we STILL WANT TO BE INVITED. ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜”
“🤣🤣🤣 I want to be invited, but I don’t want to go…🤣🤣🤣”
“😂😂😂😂😂 We just want to be invited and that’s it!”
There was even some unexpected support from an extrovert in the comments, who encouraged introverts to be honest when they don’t have the battery life to socialize.
“As a hardcore extrovert I LOVE my introvert folks and love when they tell the truth. Makes the time we DO hang so much better. Tell me ‘no’ 17 times but when that one yes hits and we hang for 36 minutes before your social battery depletes, I get to truly enjoy you. 🥰”
Hear that, introverts? It’s okay to say no. (Probably don’t have to add the “wasn’t looking forward to it” part, though. A little masking isn’t a bad thing and nobody wants to be on the receiving end of that “oop.”)