Linds here.
After the relaxing weekend that I just experienced, Monday poses an issue. It’s not necessarily a bad issue. I like my job, the people I work with, the tasks of my day. And, I simultaneously don’t have a smooth way of transitioning from my calm, relaxing weekend back into the crazy world. Did you know that there are a lot of people at the bus stop in the morning? And, every one of them has an energy. Then, all of those people and their energy enter a small confined space that is the bus. I’ll bet you didn’t think this scenario was crazy before, but through the eyes of an introvert…So, I use headphones as a buffer. Listening to one person in my ears is a much easier transition on a Monday morning (or any morning) especially when it’s Melissa Etheridge. I feel like I know her, like we could hang out and have coffee, though I don’t drink coffee so maybe we’d have chai.
mmmchai
Were you aware that the florescent lights above my cube at work sometimes greet me like a spotlight saying, look who’s here! Step up to the stage and let’s start performing! But, I don’t want to perform, I want to read and take things slowly.
Did you know that the other 11 people on my team are some of the kindest, most awesome people I’ve ever worked with? And, I have no idea how to engage and socialize like they do in the early morning hours. So, I out myself as an introvert, beg their patience, and ease my way into the day. They are very understanding; bless them.
Is it common knowledge that opening Outlook and watching 31 emails flood the inbox can be overwhelming? Not because of the amount of work it entails to address them all, but because it is indicative of at least 20 different people needing access to me since last Friday at 5pm.
On my team, we have an 8:15am meeting at my cubicle to discuss important Monday morning, need-to-know items of information. I always start by asking “who has a good weekend story?” I do enjoy hearing these stories, and I need a moment to adjust to 11 people being within 6 feet of me. I’m usually glad that Mondays are report-generating days more so than meetings-on-the-agenda kind of days because I get to sit at my cube and accomplish things. By the time Tuesday rolls around, I’m slightly more prepared to engage the masses, and by Wednesday I’m practically in charge of all of the social commentary around the office (slight exaggeration).
Mondays will always be an interesting challenge for an introvert like me, and I have no plans to become extroverted (believe me, I’ve tried, and tanked). So, for now, Melissa Etheridge and I will face Mondays as a team while making sure I talk to my wonderful employees at least once before noon. It’s a lofty plan, but this introvert will rise to the occasion. Happy Monday!
Lindsey… don’t change my dear. Don’t try.. don’t make an effort…don’t wish for change… just Don’t. You are perfect and extroverts hate Mondays, too:) here’s to the happy to be you… You:)
Thanks Kanids! In my wise old age I’m learning to accept my nature, my introverted self, and be happy being me :)
-Linds
I LOVE that the person above noted that introverts hate Mondays too! HA HA HA. And, you are brilliant as you are. Here’s your story through the lens of an extrovert. I’m going to exaggerate for fun….I don’t really do all these things….well, not all on the same day that is!!!! Some introvert might though!!! HA HA HA.
Wake up thinking….I socialized and talked all weekend. Who did I miss that I need to call on Monday morning on my way to the bus stop. That’s right, no one in the pacific time zone, my friend in Texas maybe, she’s already up with her boys. On the days I leave the house before Chip is awake, sometimes I call him to say hi and have a wonderful day. I’ve got to check in and confirm all my social plans for the week, shall I text or call. I need to make plans with the folks I missed over the weekend or week prior.
Oh my GOSH….there’s so many people at the bus stop, who should I talk to first. And who should I sit by today. So many choices, how to make one. I know some people don’t like talking on the bus. Now let me remember, who is it that likes to talk versus those poor folks I talked into doldrums. Actually, I’m not a morning person so I like you hide out at the bus stop, avoiding talking to anyone, with my headphones on. I sit in the back of the bus so depending on what stops we hit, I have the greatest likelihood of still sitting alone!
Then, I chat with Ray when I walk to work if I see him. Ray is a totally cool homeless guy who sells the Voice newspaper. I only buy from him. Then I say hi and chat with the security team whether in the garage or on the first floor. Then, I say hi to everyone on my way to my cube, at which point I revel in watching my emails pile up to see who has said hi to me since last week. Then, I think about who I miss, and who I should pop over and say hi to! Then, I work, most often on social tasks like training, facilitating, meeting, or on boarding new employees. Then usually 4 of the 5 days I have a lunch meeting with someone who is either my friend or wants to learn about coaching or I’m coaching! All require talking and being totally present socially.
Then, I am generally checking in via text on my way home or calling people if I’m driving. Then, talking with my husband when I get home, then usually two nights a week and now 3 mornings a week, I coach before work. HA HA HA.
Are you getting the picture!!!
Shocking that I don’t crawl in a hole on the weekends. You are probably totally exhausted just reading this! Gnite!
Oh. My. Gosh. I just had to do a mindfulness breathing exercise to calm down from the rush of experiencing extroversion from your perspective! I also laughed though because this description is SO you. It definitely works for you and from the sound of it, makes you feel alive. It is truly fascinating to me. Thank you for sharing that perspective. We need both in the world!
-Linds