03/29/2026
Are you an ambivert, introvert, or extrovert?
I'm an ambivert which by definition "is a person having characteristics of both extrovert and introvert" - Merriam-Webster. I do best when my energy is recharged with a blend of social time and solo time.
Yesterday I got my social fix from attending my niece's 2-year-old birthday party plus playing pickleball for 2.5 hours with friends. I started out at the birthday party for about 45 minutes, chatting with family and extended family and having quick, mini catch ups with as many people as I could, "How are you? Great to see you!" The highlight was my brother-in-law surprising the kids wearing a Cabybara costume and dancing to the "Cabybara" song while the little ones squealed in delight and danced and jumped around him. It was a total hit and super fun, for the adults too...I'll speak for myself, it got me dancing! I was feeling social, energized, and ready to bounce to the next social get together in my day.
Then I drove to meet 3 friends at Moodswing, a new social hub in Denver that has pickleball, food, and music playing. The place was buzzing with people and we had a 2-hour reservation on the outdoor courts.
I do particularly well for a max of about 2 hours when social time includes a physical activity. Pickleball is a great mix of movement and teamwork with some fun banter sprinkled in. It's being "on" in a fun, social, and active way.
After playing for 2 hours, we found out no one reserved the court after us, so we pushed into one more game which brought us to 2.5 hours of pickleball and being social. My ambivert side was beat and my brain was tired. I played my worst game, no surprise. Afterwards the group wanted to sit and eat by the courts. I sat with them for a few minutes and they are good conversationalists but I had nothing to contribute except a blank stare. My social battery was on empty and it was time for me to recharge alone. My introverted side told me it was time to go home. My voice said, "Hey guys, it's time for me to head out. I'm beat. Goodnight!"
Five years ago I would have forced myself to stay with them and "be polite and nice" and sit with them through dinner even though I was exhausted. Now I have good energy boundaries and knowing I'm an ambivert helps me give myself permission to peace out when I need to. So I did. And it felt good...there was no apology or justification needed. No one cared, got mad, or pushed back on my decision (old fears about what could happen).
So I proceeded to drive home while playing mellow jazz music. I picked up a rotisserie chicken and cookies at the grocery store, got into my pajamas, made an easy salad, snuggled with my cat, and watched Little House on the Prairie reruns while dipping cookies in milk before going to bed at 9pm. My perfect way to recharge my battery....soothing, low stimulation that rocks me like a lullaby back to a centered state and requires no social output.
Are you an ambivert, extrovert (generally recharge by being social and around groups) or introvert (primarily recharge with alone time or 1:1 time with others)? Emphasis on the word "recharge"...it's all about how you recharge your energy.
Please share below, I'd love to hear from you!
