Introverts, how do you re-energize after spending the day in a crowd, etc.?

For me, a day in the crowd, depending on circumstances, isn't in and of itself draining; rather, it's the social expectations that certain circumstances or environments hold.

For example, I am an introvert, and anyone who would argue otherwise doesn't know me. That being said, I can (and on occasion still do), for example, go out to one of the local dance clubs by myself.

As I'm getting older, it's not as often dance clubs so much as to the bar. In either case, I sit at the bar, order my drink, then sit and enjoy it, either listening to the music or watching whatever they have on TV if it's a bar.

With regards to dance clubs, the reason for the reduced frequency of my visits is two-fold. First, I recognize that although I'm still young, I'm older than most the crowd and even if I'm not seeking to socialize, there's the stigma of being the 'weird older guy' by himself, but while I can shake that off because I really just DGAF, eventually I can't help but overhear conversations taking place around me, and am just shocked by some of the stupid shit that comes out of these kids' mouths.

At the bar, I walk in, sit down, order my drink and watch one of the TVs. I may play some pool if I feel like it, but I may just keep my mouth shut and only talk to the bartender when I need a new drink.

I only feel like I need to re-energize if I've been directly interacting/dealing with people who seem to be focused on trivialities and meaningless BS.

If someone can engage me in conversation that requires thought and consideration, even if they're a stranger, I enjoy that (philosophy is one such subject). Perhaps it is because of the introspection involved, and the fact that even in public, I temporarily turn inward for the answer, and it's like a quick refuel; I can only speculate.

Another example would be going to a concert for a band that I like. I could be up in the front of the GA area, with people packed around me like sardines with 15-20 others crammed into the 5-10 foot radius around me, and happy as a clam, but that's more to do with the fact while they're all around, everyone just shuts the fuck up and listens instead of yammering on and on.

Sorry this is such a long answer and drawn out, but I hoped to provide understanding. Again, it's not so much being in a crowd as the interaction that is generally expected in a social setting with a lot of people.

If it's been a long day and I'm really frustrated with the interactions I've had, I get home, go to my room, close the door, and if one of my roommates knocks, I just tell them I'm looking at pretty girls on the internet (even when I'm not) and they leave.

/r/AskReddit Thread