Absolutely! These 10 annoying things extremely resonate with me.

Yes. I agree with all of them. I think something else that people don't realize is that while people drain us, the "rate" of drainage varies tremendously with who the other person is. Some people drain me very little while others suck out my energy almost instantaneously. The faster I am drained the more time I need to charge back up.

I've found that there are people who suck out my energy almost instantaneously and others who do it more slowly and insidiously so that I barely notice it at first, like a slow leak from a flesh wound. But what both types have in common is that they're always in my face, always wanting my attention for the smallest of reasons and absolutely relentless. They try to get into my physical space as well.

Agreed. I have a relative that I have nothing in common with who talks incessantly which makes me so nervous and irritated. I think it shows on my face which makes her talk even louder and faster. Thankfully I don't have to see her very often.

Both my late aunt and my late mother-in-law were this way. While I loved them very much, their incessent chatter drove me crazy.

Totally agree with all of them :)

I could never disagree. The biggest misconception about introverts like me is that we’re shy or anti-social. We don’t necessarily suffer from social anxiety. We just find small talk tedious and fighting to be heard in a crowd exhausting. Because of this, we get pegged as aloof, reserved, or rude. Where extroverts thrive on the energy of other people, introverts often feel drained by it. The group dynamics and the incessant talking, while enjoyable in small doses, can quickly become overwhelming.

I do agree with your list and would add a #11. When I discuss personality types with others and they learn that I am an introvert, the most common response is "No your not!". Ugghhhh! I find it remarkable that they are going to tell me who/what I am. I know that I can put on an "extrovert face" when needed but I challenge them to really listen to the things I enjoy doing, pay attention to my behavior, etc. Thanks for the article!

Spot on! The telephone thing is funny, because I hate the phone with a burning passion, but don't mind zoom, or other media where I can see the other person. Usually I find it LESS draining than the phone. Perhaps in part because zoom meetings are planned, I'm not sure.

In 2020, the plague rolled in, and our college campus shifted to online-only. We were asked to do a phone campaign to provide support to students. I could not do it, at all. Then, we started doing department meetings on Zoom. I expected it to also be impossible, but they turned out to be better than in-person meetings. The limited time meant in-depth, meaningful discussions. This may be one of the few good things to come out of 2020.

Omigosh, YES to all of these. It's no wonder I feel irritated so often and desperately seek out alone time.
Although I like the "Leave me alone. I'm fine." shirt, I'm afraid it would just end up drawing more attention.

Absolutely and drawing people in you are trying to avoid.

Spot on! I can relate to all of these and it's true, some people drain me faster than others.

Great article! Thank you for writing it, Ashley Brown!

The worst ones for me are group meetings, interruptions, sharing space and be told to smile. When I had the misfortune of working retail, one customer told me to smile. I took that as an order, forced a smile out of obligation and silently gave my answer to that order. Has anyone ever later repeated that command to the person who gave it?

Unfortunately, I've learned to fake extroversion at work to avoid repercussions, exclusions and gossip.

I couldn't notice the irony of the 4th point: "Being Interrupted". The flow of the article is interrupted with an advert!

These things annoy me, too, even though I've been "programmed" to tolerate them. People assume that, because I speak in public a lot and have been a vocal performer most of my life, I must be an extrovert. On the contrary, after both activities, I retreat to my own space to regenerate because it drains me even though I love it.

Amen. My office recently had an after work social gathering. I had mentally prepared myself and was ready for it. Then, during a meeting the day of, a colleague announced that she had invited a couple more guests. I felt terrible that it affected me so deeply. I tried my best to hide it, but in the end, I could not make myself go. I felt so weak for that small thing affecting me that way, but it was too much.
It is nice to know that this is shared with others, but extroverts just do not understand this. I'm surrounded by them, so it can feel quite lonely sometimes. Thank you for this post.

This is why I don't attend after work functions anymore and just go for coffee by myself or hang out with a select group of people that we "get" each other.

I so relate to this. I can tell you are a genuine introvert. I can tell when these articles are written by non-introverts that think they are or at least claim they are. I value and recognize your sincerity, Ashley.

BINGO! 100% right on! This is so me and explains so much. Thank you for putting it in words on paper.

Thanks for sharing, I can really relate!