Thoughts deep enough to give them their own topic...

[mapsedge]

iarraidh commented, in reference to attending the baseball game:

People who don't have anxiety disorders have no clue what it's like when we're thrust into the chaos of, well, People.

Everything is turned up to 11, and all those people stabbing at me trying to force me to interact with them on so many levels from so many directions.

Introverts typically have to constantly EXPEND energy to be around people, particularly large numbers of people they aren't already familiar with. The constant barrage of the demands of the extroverts drains the hell out of me.

The argument I usually get back is, "Well, you used to do renaissance festivals."

The simple reply to that is, "Operative words: used to."

But there are other dynamics at work there. At a festival, I am in costume. The vast majority of patrons ignore costumed performers because they want to be left alone to enjoy the show, rendering me effectively invisible. Until I choose to interact, I am extremely well-dressed scenery. Important point: I choose to interact; no one pushes interaction on me.

I am there with a purpose, which provides a mental shield. It's my environment, my space, my community.

Festivals also don't happen at 100dB¹.

I am relaxed today, more like my normal, grumpy asshole self. I am painfully sunburned - my nose, as usual, is blistering a little, and combing my hair hurts  - but the sun-migraine is gone and I can think and function. Breakfast is warming in the oven, cappuchino is made, I'm ready to start my day.


¹ 15dB higher than the minimum safe level to prevent hearing loss, according to OSHA

Comments

[iarraidh.livejournal.com]

At a festival, I am in costume. The vast majority of patrons ignore costumed performers because they want to be left alone to enjoy the show, rendering me effectively invisible. Until I choose to interact, I am extremely well-dressed scenery. Important point: I choose to interact; no one pushes interaction on me.

Spot on.

We create "someone else" to be.
THAT person has the characteristics we choose to imbue into him, and we are safe behind it.
We can also drop it like a throwaway handgun and flee the scene whenever it becomes necessary.

I developed an entire other person to step into like putting on a pair of coveralls when I was a Shriner. That is such an in-your-face and in-your-space world I had to develop my "Shriner Face". We even called it that. I was playing a part. Interaction was glib, glad-handing, and completely superficial. John was downstairs watching a reality show about a fraternal organization.