THE SPECTRUM

YOU GUYS!

You guys have been doing a thing and I really REALLY need you to stop doing the thing anymore. If I catch you doing the thing, then I'm going to smack you upside the head and give you a list of websites to check out and books to read.

If you're confused, let me clear a few things up for you, okay? Take a deep breath and get comfy, because here we go.

Introverts have a bad name and it hasn't stopped yet because people keep perpetuating the stereotype and no one has really put the real research out there, although plenty of people have tried. There is still this notion going around the introverted people are socially awkward, shy and antisocial. THIS IS AN UNTRUTH!

The real difference between introverts and extroverts is the way in which those people gain and release energy levels. Extroverts gain energy from people. They tend to feel more energized and pumped up after hanging out with their friends, going to a party, spending time in a crowd, etc. Whereas on the flip side of extroversion, introverts gain energy by spending time alone either watching a movie, reading a book, or completing a project, etc.

When extroverts are full of energy, spending time by themselves may be a nice reprieve. When introverts are full of energy, a night out with their friends might not be something they are dreading or loath to do. Ya feel me?

I keep seeing these articles about the "extroverted introvert" which just annoys me to no end. No person is a true introvert or extrovert based on the stereotypes of either being constantly inundated with new people or hating social interaction of any kind choosing to spend a majority of time with your nose in a book. And I'm SICK OF IT. I'm so tired of people perpetuating the stereotype that introverts can't be social creatures.

JUST STOP SPREADING THE INSANITY.

If you find that you feel more energized after you've spent a couple hours reading your book and you would like to go out and pub crawl Friday night with your friends doesn't mean that you're not introverted. It might even be shocking to learn that introverts even process a lot of social prowess and may even have a nice circle of friends instead of just one or two.

I know, your mind is blown, isn't it?

But seriously. Everyone falls on the spectrum of intro/extroversion and while some people are more on one side or the other doesn't mean that people don't also fall in the middle. There is such a thing as an ambivert, actually.

I'd like to challenge you to help change the dialogue surrounding introversion and extroversion. If we start changing the way we speak and write about it by realizing that it's a spectrum instead of a black and white issue then we can better understand our fellow humans.

Remember that it's not about how shy a person is. Shyness has nothing to do with introversion, it's merely a term for the fear of social judgement. Whether you gain or give energy by being around people or away from people is what gives you your introvertedness or extrovertedness.

Now go forth and turn the stereotype on its head!

IMPATIENCE

What even is blogging these days anyway? I mean, who even does that. Not me. Didn't you know? Because I am the worst at it apparently.

And you know what? I don't even have a good reason. Not a one. None. Nothing. Because I'm currently laid off while I wait for the photography season to pick back up and I have all the time in the world to write blog posts. Plus, I mean, with all this time I do lots of interesting things. Like watch stupid reality trash television like Dance Moms. Betcha never saw that one coming!

But in all seriousness, I have done some cool things. I mean, I've been watching a lot of Food Network shows, so I've really stepped up my game in the kitchen. I made lamb burgers with homemade tzaziki sauce and it was amazing. Recently, I've started using my croc pot as well to cook pork shoulders and it's been fantastic.

In addition to the trash TV and the food prep, I've been doing a lot of artwork as well. I've been creating all these custom mugs for my friends and family. (If you want one, email me!) And it would be great if I could turn it into a legitimate business, but that will take a lot of time to really take off enough to support me. I'm currently drawing up designs for mugs though, for local souvenir shops - just to get my name out there. Exciting!

I'm designing a new updated logo for the business my mom works for. It's been a lot of back and fourth and nothing is finalized yet, but we are getting close I think. I've spent a few hours working on the design and revitalizing the old one. Different shapes, different fonts, abbreviations or entire business names? It's really been a big journey. Actually, the experience is phenomenal and I would love to work with other businesses for logo designs, etc. This is the nerdy stuff I live for!

But if we're to take a break from my monotonous life update (that I know you are all SO THRILLED to be reading) I would have to tell you some other things and feelings I have about stuff.

Since I graduated from high school, it has been a lot of non-stop with classmates and friends getting engaged and married and popping out kiddos. And I've mostly (mostly!) been able to stomach it without too much constant jealousy of their impeccable diamond rings. Mostly. But recently I've found myself having to work harder and harder to stuff down the green monster.

It's not that I'm super stoked out of my mind for all my friends. Really, truly, honestly, I am beyond happy that their lives are going in that direction. It makes me believe in marriage and that people really do care about committing themselves to another person for the foreseeable future and beyond. In a culture that hates on marriage so much, to have my Facebook news feed constantly bombarded with so-and-so is engaged/married to so-and-so, it's really nice.

And on the other hand, my stomach sinks a little. I wish it was me. I wish it was me. When it really hit me hard was when one of my old students got engaged. That was the toughest one to get over. Because, why. Why? I have an amazing relationship with a phenomenal man who loves me an incredible amount. We have talked a lot about marriage and the future and our plans for life. We are a wonderful team and we balance each out very well.

So maybe that's what makes it so hard. The fact that I know it's coming but I don't know when. The fact that these girls (and guys!) don't have to wait any longer and I'm over here forced into continued patience. It stings a little, down deep in my soul, to see all those others flaunting their rings all over social media, while I'm still here bare handed.

It won't be forever. My time is coming. I know that. I'm just tired of waiting. So tired of waiting. And yet, I'll keep on waiting. As long as it takes. Impatience gets you nowhere and worrying does nothing to change a situation. But sometimes ya just gotta vent, amiright?