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I work for a large company so I am around a lot of people each day. When evening comes there are times when I prefer to retreat to my home, and be alone, than to socialize. Some people may call me an introvert; and that's OK. Being an introvert can be very satisfying. My friends who really know me, know that I enjoy being at home curled up on my sofa with my three cats and watching an old movie, than to be out in a crowd somewhere. I love people but when my day is over, I need the solitude of my own space.

Because I am single, some of my co-workers are convinced that I have no life, but what they don't understand is; I am a very private person and I choose not to share my whole life with all of the people I work with. This is the life I want. This is where I am the happiest. This is where I can go home, kick off my shoes and relax into my own universe.

When my children were young, and all the various activities of raising a family were my first priority, there wasn't much time for personal space. It had to be taken in a blink of an eye sometimes. But now, my family is grown and no longer requires the attention and dependency of their youth. So I guess this need for personal space at this time in my life can be described as a type of meditative relaxation.

At the prompting of my family, I have tried the social scene; but being in crowds makes me feel very claustrophobic. I have tried, but I find myself standing back and observing others around me. I feel as if I am in another world. I am very astute, and when I am in a crowd I am constantly discovering things about people that I don't care to know about; and all the drama that goes with it. I watch their body language and their facial expressions and soon realize that they are not really happy being there either; they are there out of expectations of others. Why do people insist on making themselves so miserable? My thought is that you go to the party, stay awhile, and then leave. Go Home.

People tend to pity me because they think I am lonely. I am not lonely, I have a very productive and fulfilling private life, with many friends, but I am not a person who can be around people all of the time. Even my special friend and I both respect the need for personal time to be alone; to be in our own space.

I certainly don't mean to appear aloof because I am not; I am a person of solitude by choice. I have been accused of being too sensitive and judgmental about the need for personal space, but my philosophy is; having personal space is the key to having a healthy peace of mind.

Learn more about this author, Janet Dunn.
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