Today was enrollment at the Middle School where I practice Social Work. It was fun to reunite with friends on staff and to see how much the kids grew over the summer. I love the kids. I believe in the importance of my work; but these first few days back nearly kill me.
Some people think I am gregarious, and that I thrive on contact with people. Nothing could be further from the truth. I am an introvert. That does not mean that I lack skill in dealing with people. It means that dealing with people in the intimate way that my job must be done to be done well, drains me. To be introverted does not necessarily indicate shyness. I can speak up for myself and for others, but after I have spoken, I need to be silent as well.
I need to recharge from time to time–to withdraw from others in a quiet, private healing space. The place I recover best is my home. I return at day’s end spent. I pull the shades, dim the lights and breathe deeply. Tomorrow I will face the world again, but tonight I am home and there is nowhere I would rather be.
