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
This post may include affiliate links.
'in The Unlikely Event...' Jane Knows What's Up!
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.
Love This Idea As Long As The Canceling Step Is Clearly Spelled Out In A Mutually Agreed To Legal Document
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."
*gagging Noises*
Finally. Finally someone who understands. You sir, you should be giving a medal and be giving lectures about this.
*throws All $6.72 Of My Life Savings At This Kickstarter*
That Took A Twist
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."
"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.
*wins Golden Globe For Performance In “Having A Bubbly, Outgoing Personality”*
Voted “Most Likely To Be Just A Tad Off” Bebe
Dogs >>>>> Humans
Cats Just Be Livin Their Best Life
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.
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.
I Hope They Have Parachutes
Me too. I hate these surprises, where everybody is forced into it, and even expected to shine with delight and happines. Just leave people alone.
Load More Replies...
Me, sitting in J3, when they are handing out ukulelels: "Excuse me, stewardess? I think somebody put a bomb in my luggage."
Nothing sounds better than 100 untuned ukuleles being played by amateurs in a confined space.....
Going through these with my introvert wife! Me: Fecking hell that sounds awesome! Her: You have NO rhythm, you wouldn't be any good! Me: But it would be fun to give it a go. Her: You wouldn't be comfortable, you can barely fit in those seats with your long legs, imagine trying to play an instrument! Me: yeah, but... Her: NO! IT WOULD BE A LIVING HELL. I'D HATE IT, YOU'D HAVE TO GET ME OFF THE PLANE! OR I'D QUITE LITERALLY DIE!
Still way less annoying than irresponsible parents who don’t parent and control their offspring
Challenge accepted: this but with "Let's go around the plane and everyone sing a little song about themselves"
pretty sure I would take my chances with the door, being sucked in to a turbo fan get engine or falling 10,000 meters without a chute? each option still better than this 9the circle of hell
Forget the parachute. I'd just jump. Whoever thought this was a good idea needs to rot in hell.
i feel like i'd be demanding my money back. if i'm on a flight, i want to sit in peace with my headphones on, play games, watch a movie. anything that doesn't require other people
The worst part in this is not feeling allowed to be mad at those f*****s with their stupid ukeleles because you also have one in your hands.
I wouldn't mind this too much. It would get my mind off of remembering the incident I've heard about that one flight to Hawaii where the plane ripped apart or the roof of the plane at 14000 ft and people were thrown out of the plane. Plus, there would be so many other people playing and concentrating on learning that I would be lost in the sea of out of tune twanging like it were amateur hour at a luau.
Hard to imagine a worse fate than being on this plane? One word: Bagpipes.
On a flight that bloody long, I'd have enjoyed the distraction, at least for a little while.
Once was headed to DC on a Greyhound. About four hours. Bus was delayed and I was offered a seat on a charter bus with a group straight from China. I heard them talking in the station. I turned it down. I was an international telephone operator at the time, and worked the night shift. I had come straight from work and had spent the entire 8 previous hours connecting calls in China, and what was at the time, the USSR. I had a good foundation in Romance languages, and probably could have dealt with a bus full of Spaniards. Sadly, there are languages I couldn't acclimate to. My loss. I worked with a guy who was teaching himself Chinese. Don't recall if it was Mandarin, or Cantonese. He had my full admiration.
I think I would have to find out if cockpits are still on lockdown
Ngl I’d be down for this, getting thru the airport is hard enough for me cause of anxiety but making on the plan hearing everyone try to horribly play somewhere over the rainbow would make me crack up love this
Watch the video. It made me wish I had been on this flight to Hawaii.
I'm probably just a bitter Betty, but this kind of annoys me. People flying to Hawaii obviously have money and could afford to buy a ukulele if they so desired. Why not donate them to a school or a music program in need of instruments? Sorry for being a sourpuss, but it just rubs me the wrong way.
Sorry they GIFT everyone a FREE musical instrument... Traditional to the state (culture) they're flying to..... Then b given them their first lesson FREE.... And that's bad?? This was a welcome break on a 6h flight... Lasted maybe 45 min.... And came with a $100+ free gift (it includes a bag)... Everyone looks pretty cuffed to me. .. If you are a introvert you'd 100% have earbuds... And if you don't want your free uke.... I'll have it
$250 flight.... $100 gift.... Even introverts can see the benefit.... Right.... And learning an instrument can be a GIFT for the introverted... Trust me... I play uke... That no one ever hears
Load More Replies...
Flying to CA from Miami - seated when the self-annointed "fun group" of geriatrics boarded and passed by - the steward, who'd chummed me a couple free beers, came by after a couple of hours with them, and said "this is the last one, i'm jumping..." and he was a people person - you could tell.
*intentionally Dumps Jar Of Marinara On Carpet* “Sorry Tho, The Mess”
Canceling All Socializing For The Next 7 Weeks To Save Up Enough Energy For Thanksgiving
This Bebe Is An *icon*
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.
I Love That Dogs Don’t Ask Me These Questions
#livingmybestlife
The Future Is Here And It Is The Worst
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; )
Dogs > Humans
"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."
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!”
Why Would You Do This To Me? I Thought We Were Friends. Is This What It Means To “Have Beef”?
Mission Accomplished *fist Pump*
*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*
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!"
Yeah I Said "Generic Excuse", And I'll Continue To Say "Generic Excuse"
Gold Statue Girl Fall Is On, Y’all #whatareyoudoinginmyswamp
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. 😬
*gently Tosses Phone Into Lake*
I Thought You’d Never Ask
I Live Every Day In Fear Of Becoming A Meme
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
And You Will *love* It
Thankful For You
Awww Sweetie. You Got It All Wrong! “Finally” Has Two Ls And Only One N. But Other Than That, A+
Quite Frankly, Getting Trapped On A Desert Island Sounds *marvelous*
*jazz Hands*
Talk About Myself?? *gagging Noises* I’d Much Rather Regurgitate Information I Heard On Podcasts. That An Option?
This is what the internet is for. Get to know each other via emails - not texts, since people expect immediate responses.
*camera Cuts To Me Lying In An Email About How I’d Be Happy To “Hop On A Call” Ffs*
Just Say No
Well *ahem* it seems like I don't have a deadly flu anymore! I just don't want to go out :P
#notaphase
When "go to your room and stay there" is no longer a punishment!
Note: this post originally had 52 images. It’s been shortened to the top 35 images based on user votes.
An introvert is not antisocial. Someone give these folks a dictionary, please. Extroverts need alone time, introverts need social contact, it's like most of life, we live it on a spectrum.
a lot of these aren't "haha funny relatable," they're rude, apathetic, & portray lack of communication or high-level social anxiety as acceptable things. they're not. being introverted is completely different from not understanding other people's emotions or refusing to talk about yourself at all; introversion literally just means that you recharge when you're alone rather than in a group & has nothing to do with your social skills. i know plenty of introverts who are great at communication, can hold a conversation & talk about themselves, & don't lie to me about how they're feeling or what they want to do. if you're really that cripplingly anxious at the thought of talking to/hanging out with a friend, or if you seriously can't muster up any empathy for a friend who's sad, you don't need memes portraying this as normal, you need therapy. & don't come at me with the "talking about me feelings? ew!" stuff. that's an incredibly unhealthy mindset & i hate that these memes encourage it.
I liked most of these but I don't like how being introverted, anti-social, desinterested in other humans, unempathetic are all lumped together...
I can imagine NASA sending an introvert astronaut to Mars but then realise that when they try and contact them no one replies as they don't want to answer.
Once again: introversion doesn't mean social anxiety. If I don't want to communicate with people, it's because I'm tired of them, not because I'm afraid of them.
A lot of people are saying how this is confusing being an introvert with having social anxiety. Well, that's why a lot of people are introverts.
It's still not the same. A lot of introverts have no problems with communication, they can carry on a conversation. answer or even - gasp - initiate phone calls. We just get tired of interaction with people faster than extroverts and need more time alone to restore our energy. You may be an introvert AND be scared of phone calls, but that would be not because of your introversion.
Load More Replies...
I'm kind of tired of introvert being equal to hating people, having zero social skills or being scared of human interaction. I would say i'm introverted but still enjoy talking to people and my work is a lot about talking to people in various (often difficult) situations. I have no issues with that at all. It's just that I recharge better without people around and prefer to talk one on one rather than small talk in a crowd (that can be particularly energy draining and I tend to go quiet pretty quickly)
Same. I worked in a bank with clients, worked in a call-center, then worked as a private tutor with students/ My work has always been about communicating with other people, and it's not a problem at all But I do get tired of that and need to take rest alone.
Load More Replies...
Unhealthy is forcing introverts into deeply uncomfortable situations
Load More Replies... An introvert is not antisocial. Someone give these folks a dictionary, please. Extroverts need alone time, introverts need social contact, it's like most of life, we live it on a spectrum.
a lot of these aren't "haha funny relatable," they're rude, apathetic, & portray lack of communication or high-level social anxiety as acceptable things. they're not. being introverted is completely different from not understanding other people's emotions or refusing to talk about yourself at all; introversion literally just means that you recharge when you're alone rather than in a group & has nothing to do with your social skills. i know plenty of introverts who are great at communication, can hold a conversation & talk about themselves, & don't lie to me about how they're feeling or what they want to do. if you're really that cripplingly anxious at the thought of talking to/hanging out with a friend, or if you seriously can't muster up any empathy for a friend who's sad, you don't need memes portraying this as normal, you need therapy. & don't come at me with the "talking about me feelings? ew!" stuff. that's an incredibly unhealthy mindset & i hate that these memes encourage it.
I liked most of these but I don't like how being introverted, anti-social, desinterested in other humans, unempathetic are all lumped together...
I can imagine NASA sending an introvert astronaut to Mars but then realise that when they try and contact them no one replies as they don't want to answer.
Once again: introversion doesn't mean social anxiety. If I don't want to communicate with people, it's because I'm tired of them, not because I'm afraid of them.
A lot of people are saying how this is confusing being an introvert with having social anxiety. Well, that's why a lot of people are introverts.
It's still not the same. A lot of introverts have no problems with communication, they can carry on a conversation. answer or even - gasp - initiate phone calls. We just get tired of interaction with people faster than extroverts and need more time alone to restore our energy. You may be an introvert AND be scared of phone calls, but that would be not because of your introversion.
Load More Replies... I'm kind of tired of introvert being equal to hating people, having zero social skills or being scared of human interaction. I would say i'm introverted but still enjoy talking to people and my work is a lot about talking to people in various (often difficult) situations. I have no issues with that at all. It's just that I recharge better without people around and prefer to talk one on one rather than small talk in a crowd (that can be particularly energy draining and I tend to go quiet pretty quickly)
Same. I worked in a bank with clients, worked in a call-center, then worked as a private tutor with students/ My work has always been about communicating with other people, and it's not a problem at all But I do get tired of that and need to take rest alone.
Load More Replies... Unhealthy is forcing introverts into deeply uncomfortable situations
Load More Replies...