The Introvert Introspects

The holiday season is just around the corner, and everyone's busy with gifts, decors, preparation for delicious food and the barrage of parties that come with it. Don't get me wrong - I like parties! The only difference is that for introverts like me, parties, even intimate ones, feel exhausting after a couple of hours. So if you have an introvert in your life, here are a few tips to make the holiday season less insufferable and more tolerable for them:

• For the love of all things cozy, please don't show up at our place unannounced. I get it, the air is teeming with a partying frenzy that feels too cumbersome to ignore, and you know we love your company. However, the holiday season is high-time for social gatherings, and more often than not, we really just want our own company. At least while we recharge.

• Parties are fun, and holiday parties seem even more so. But don't be surprised if your introvert turns down some of your party invites. Believe me when I say that this is not some personal vendetta against you, and it's definitely not something we do to decisively offend you. This is one of those moments when the phrase "It's not you, it's me" rings true. It's not that we don't want to hang out with you. It's that we don't want to hang out with you and fifty other people we barely know who may or may not vomit on our shoes.

• I don't know about other introverts but my personal limit for socialization is 2-5 hours, depending on the circumstances. So please don't take it against us if we slip out earlier than most people. Again, "It's not you, it's me". We might miss all the fun, but our favorite parties are usually a ménage à trois between us, a good book and a cup of hot tea. Besides, that just means you can hang out with more people! Win-win!

• You know those people who manage to find 5-10 minutes of alone time during parties? They're usually the ones taking too long in the bathroom, offering to walk the dog or suddenly wanting some fresh air. I'm one of those people, and yes, we're introverts in that even a few, precious moments by ourselves can rejuvenate us for parties. So please allow us our minutes of tranquility.

• If you're the host, allow your introverts to bring a plus one. If your introvert is headed to an obligatory party, offer to be his/her plus one. Like a good bra, life is just a little better with amazing support.