“Impossible!”
“No way!”
“You’re full of it!”

That’s how acquaintances usually respond when I tell them I’m an introvert.

After all, I have no qualms about talking to random strangers. I do alright with public speaking. And I’m blessed to have many wonderful, cherished friends.

But the truth is that although I may greatly enjoy all these things, they still take tremendous energy and effort. I’ve been thinking about this a lot since a dear friend shared Dr. Carmella’s curious infographic:

At first glance I resented it, because it makes introverts sound a little freakish (I don’t live in a hamster ball, nor must I be treated like a terrified wild animal). But I did like the explanation that “[introverts] naturally find most interaction exhausting.”

I can’t tell you how terrible I’ve felt over the years — or how many friendships I’ve given up — because people…