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If you're more of an introvert, you know there's a limited number of group photos you can pose for during a weekend before you decide to spend the next one home alone, recharging.

Even though you might feel like you're betraying your family, friends, or whoever it is you're casting aside in favor of a warm bed and snacks, there's nothing wrong with prioritizing yourself.

But if you need a reminder that you're not the only one doing this, check out the Instagram account FOGO, or the Fear of Going Out. It perfectly describes what it's like to embrace your inner loner.

Continue scrolling for a brief summary of FOGO's content and don't miss the chats we had with psychologist and educator Dr. Laurie Helgoe, as well as Jenn Granneman, founder of the award-winning blog Introvert, Dear, and introvert coach and consultant Thea Orozco.

You'll find them spread between the memes.

When you're done, fire up Bored Panda's first publication on this relatable online project, too!

More info: Instagram

#1

'in The Unlikely Event...' Jane Knows What's Up!

'in The Unlikely Event...' Jane Knows What's Up!

fearofgoingout Report

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Caroline Kimber
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whenever my Granny was on the phone and wanted to get off, she'd ring the doorbell so that the person on the phone could hear it in the background and know that she had to go.

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#2

Love This Idea As Long As The Canceling Step Is Clearly Spelled Out In A Mutually Agreed To Legal Document

Love This Idea As Long As The Canceling Step Is Clearly Spelled Out In A Mutually Agreed To Legal Document

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The terms introversion and extroversion were introduced by Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Carl Jung, although both their current understanding and usage vary.

"In general, introverts work things out in their heads, and extroverts work things out in the world," Dr. Laurie Helgoe told Bored Panda. "This has all kinds of implications. When presented with a question, an introvert will bring the query into their private laboratory, work it through and then offer a response. This takes time and focus. By contrast, extroverts will work things out in the interaction, thinking out loud or bouncing ideas back and forth."

"Introvert preferences: writing, one-on-one conversations, solitude for reflection. Extrovert preferences: talking, fast-paced interactions, social feedback."

#3

*gagging Noises*

*gagging Noises*

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Tor-Arne Hjellen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Finally. Finally someone who understands. You sir, you should be giving a medal and be giving lectures about this.

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#4

*throws All $6.72 Of My Life Savings At This Kickstarter*

*throws All $6.72 Of My Life Savings At This Kickstarter*

fearofgoingout Report

Helgoe said "our current understanding is that introversion and extroversion exist on a continuum, with introversion on one end, extroversion on the other, and 'ambiversion' at the midpoint."

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"Most of us are somewhere in the middle, leaning one way or the other. And, yes, there are complex combinations, such as the social introvert who gravitates toward people, but becomes overstimulated and needs to refuel with solitude. Or the shy extrovert, who is self-conscious around people but is oriented to engage externally," the psychologist explained.

#6

*wins Golden Globe For Performance In “Having A Bubbly, Outgoing Personality”*

*wins Golden Globe For Performance In “Having A Bubbly, Outgoing Personality”*

AdynMikael Report

#7

Voted “Most Likely To Be Just A Tad Off” Bebe

Voted “Most Likely To Be Just A Tad Off” Bebe

solomongeorgio Report

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Robert B
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had a therapist tell me that instead of weirdo I should call myself unique. I replied with something along the lines of “ I’m not here because I’m a pretentious asswipe”

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#8

Dogs >>>>> Humans

Dogs >>>>> Humans

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Simona M.
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would love that. Fortunately, I get to do this at home every day :), so, until that bar opens, I'm ok.

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Most likely, introverts develop due to a combination of nature and nurture. The way that the human body's physiology responds to the outside environment plays a critical role in determining the level of our extroversion and introversion.

On a physiological level, a network of neurons located in the brainstem known as the reticular activating system (RAS) regulates arousal levels, including wakefulness and transitions between sleeping and waking.

The RAS also plays a role in controlling how much information we take in while we're awake. When confronted by potential threats in the environment, the RAS increases arousal levels so we can be alert and ready to deal with danger.

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Each person has a basic set point in terms of arousal level. But while some naturally have a high set point, others have a much lower set point.

#10

I Hope They Have Parachutes

I Hope They Have Parachutes

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Zee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just reading that was enough to exhaust me and give me a headache. 😩

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#11

*intentionally Dumps Jar Of Marinara On Carpet* “Sorry Tho, The Mess”

*intentionally Dumps Jar Of Marinara On Carpet* “Sorry Tho, The Mess”

fearofgoingout Report

#12

Canceling All Socializing For The Next 7 Weeks To Save Up Enough Energy For Thanksgiving

Canceling All Socializing For The Next 7 Weeks To Save Up Enough Energy For Thanksgiving

cordeliasmajnun Report

Psychologist Hans Eysenck suggested that these arousal levels could be thought of as a continuum. According to his arousal theory of extroversion:

  • 15% of people have a minimal set point, meaning they naturally have low arousal levels;
  • 15% of people have a high set point, meaning they naturally tend to be more aroused;
  • 70% of people lie somewhere in the middle of the continuum.

According to Eysenck, introverts have high levels of arousal. Because of that, they tend to seek activities and environments where they can escape from overstimulation. Alone time gives them the opportunity to process and reflect on their experiences.

#14

I Love That Dogs Don’t Ask Me These Questions

I Love That Dogs Don’t Ask Me These Questions

elle91 Report

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#16

The Future Is Here And It Is The Worst

The Future Is Here And It Is The Worst

MikeDrucker Report

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the quickening
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Boy am I happy video calls haven't become popular in my tiny social circles. Phone calls are bad enough as they are. (Just text like a normal person ;n; )

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"Because introverts go out less frequently than extroverts, they often have higher expectations of social situations," Thea Orozco, the author of The Introvert's Guide to the Workplace, explained to Bored Panda.

However, that doesn't mean introverts have to come out of their shell.

"Oftentimes they feel a need to act like an extrovert at parties, or talk to half the people at a networking event. Instead, introverts should think about what they actually want from socializing. For instance, the goal for going to a party might be to have one interesting conversation, or for a networking event it might be meeting two people you want to keep in touch with."

#18

Host Of Party: “Can I Get You Anything To Drink?” Me, Thirstier Than I’ve Ever Been In My Entire Life But Also Terrified Of Being An Imposition: “No Thanks!”

Host Of Party: “Can I Get You Anything To Drink?” Me, Thirstier Than I’ve Ever Been In My Entire Life But Also Terrified Of Being An Imposition: “No Thanks!”

fearofgoingout Report

#19

Why Would You Do This To Me? I Thought We Were Friends. Is This What It Means To “Have Beef”?

Why Would You Do This To Me? I Thought We Were Friends. Is This What It Means To “Have Beef”?

KaylaBraxtonWWE Report

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#21

*surprises Fairy Gm By Last Minute Bailing On Ball Entirely Because A Night With The House All To Myself Sounds Way Better Than A Social Outing*

*surprises Fairy Gm By Last Minute Bailing On Ball Entirely Because A Night With The House All To Myself Sounds Way Better Than A Social Outing*

LizerReal Report

Orozco highlighted that introversion is neither inferior to extroversion nor a synonym for shyness.

"Shyness is the fear of being judged by others, while introversion describes how a person recharges their energy," she said. "They might look the same on the outside, but they have different motivations on the inside. Shy extroverts do exist!"

#22

Yeah I Said "Generic Excuse", And I'll Continue To Say "Generic Excuse"

Yeah I Said "Generic Excuse", And I'll Continue To Say "Generic Excuse"

fearofgoingout Report

#23

Gold Statue Girl Fall Is On, Y’all #whatareyoudoinginmyswamp

Gold Statue Girl Fall Is On, Y’all #whatareyoudoinginmyswamp

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Fluffy mommy panda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That sounds nice then he can be my friend dragon and I will take him everywhere. And behold people far and wide will be in fear and not come near. Or I will tell him to huff and puff until they burn there house down. 😬

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#24

*gently Tosses Phone Into Lake*

*gently Tosses Phone Into Lake*

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#25

I Thought You’d Never Ask

I Thought You’d Never Ask

fearofgoingout Report

#26

I Live Every Day In Fear Of Becoming A Meme

I Live Every Day In Fear Of Becoming A Meme

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butt soup
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i like obnoxiously standing in the background of people filming tiktoks & flipping them off or doing something insanely distracting to ruin their video. tiktok sucks & the people who film in public are the absolute worst. i love discouraging them from harassing people just trying to go about their lives

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#29

Awww Sweetie. You Got It All Wrong! “Finally” Has Two Ls And Only One N. But Other Than That, A+

Awww Sweetie. You Got It All Wrong! “Finally” Has Two Ls And Only One N. But Other Than That, A+

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#30

Quite Frankly, Getting Trapped On A Desert Island Sounds *marvelous*

Quite Frankly, Getting Trapped On A Desert Island Sounds *marvelous*

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#32

Talk About Myself?? *gagging Noises* I’d Much Rather Regurgitate Information I Heard On Podcasts. That An Option?

Talk About Myself?? *gagging Noises* I’d Much Rather Regurgitate Information I Heard On Podcasts. That An Option?

fearofgoingout Report

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Apatheist 62
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is what the internet is for. Get to know each other via emails - not texts, since people expect immediate responses.

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#33

*camera Cuts To Me Lying In An Email About How I’d Be Happy To “Hop On A Call” Ffs*

*camera Cuts To Me Lying In An Email About How I’d Be Happy To “Hop On A Call” Ffs*

TechnicallyRon Report

#34

Just Say No

Just Say No

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zoenaidu0 avatar
Bored_Panda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well *ahem* it seems like I don't have a deadly flu anymore! I just don't want to go out :P

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#35

#notaphase

#notaphase

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troufaki13
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When "go to your room and stay there" is no longer a punishment!

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Note: this post originally had 52 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.