"Jesus would often slip away into the wilderness and pray." - Luke 5:16
Jesus was the ultimate introvert in and extrovert's job. He wanted to be with the people and understood that as his calling, but knew the importance of sometimes stepping back and being alone.
A few years ago, I took the Myers-Briggs for work. My introvert result was no surprise, but even I was taken aback by how far it went. I had zero extrovert points, as in I might have been happy as a cloistered nun.
This is not to say I don't like people. I've made my career talking to people and listening to their stories, and I love it. But it's exhausting. After a few hours of people, I'm ready to slip away into the wilderness too.
Well, for most of the last two months we have lived in one room (yay! we finally made it to the house!). Since being in the house, I'm still a stay-at-home mom of a an extroverted 3-year-old. The Kindergartens here all have wait lists, so while we wait, the munchkin and I have lots of together time, with very little wilderness to be found. Of all the challenges this move has presented, this is the hardest for me.
I take comfort knowing Jesus sometimes had to escape too, so I shouldn't have to feel guilty. Jesus also gives the example of what to do -- pray. I'm still trying to figure out how. Today, I'm saying a prayer of thanksgiving that the little one decided to take a nap, which is a rare thing.
So, I come to you. How do you introverts find time to recharge in busy days?
Wow, it is so providential that you bring up Jesus escaping to the wilderness, because that has been on my mind recently. In those times when I desperately need a moment to myself, I remember that while he was alone, the sick still needed healing, and the people still needed teaching. So it is okay that my laundry still needs folding, my dishes still need washing, and my kids still need baths. This reminds me that Jesus lived only to do the Father’s will… not to do every single thing that was within his power to do. What I mean is that he did not heal every blind person on the face of the earth, although it was well within his power to do so. Why? Because that was not his mission. Just like it is not our mission to take on every single thing that is good in itself (i.e. room mom, soccer coach, homeschooling, etc.)
ReplyDeleteIt is also interesting that you bring up the introvert idea, because it was only a few weeks ago that I read a blog that helped me realize that being introverted and a mom of young children is a very difficult combination. (And yes, I am actually an introvert, although many people argue with me on this one. Just trust me.) That same week I read something else about how being either a “Type A” or a “Type B” personality has an effect on parenting. For example, as a “Type A”, I have a hard time handling long stretches of unstructured time with the kids. My tendency is to leave the house, go somewhere, do something, to alleviate that. I have other Type A mom friends who work, not only for the income, but because they claim they would “go crazy” at home all day with kids. The blog I read explained that Type B moms can be more nurturing, more willing to let the day unfold as it will, but may struggle more with getting places on time, keeping the house straight, or being organized. But reading that information about both the introvert/extrovert and the Type A/Type B aspects of personalities was a huge help in understanding the ways that I personally struggle with the challenges of being a SAHM. Now I realize why there are times when I literally fantasize about being alone at Starbucks with an iced coffee and a book!
Well said Erin! The whole introvert thing is misunderstood. It's not about being social, but how you recharge and process the world around you. Some of us need to be alone to do that. And young children are not well known for that capacity. Love the type A part. This lack of structure is also a struggle, but I'm working on finding my own schedule for the days.
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