If you’re an introverted extrovert like me, you’ll understand the struggles of balancing your social life and personal time. It’s a constant battle between wanting to go out and meet new people and wanting to stay in and watch Netflix. In social groups, you’ll describe yourself as an extrovert but will soon back that up with “But I like my alone time too.” If you’re like me, you’ll find there are many struggles with being an introverted extrovert but you love it all the same. Here are seven struggles you can relate to:

1. Meeting new people is slightly awkward.

You want to be your normal, outgoing self but somehow whenever you first meet someone, your introverted side tends to take over. And you become that awkward, shy person you don’t want to be known by. This is not the real me, I promise.

2. You love your alone time.

Taking time for yourself is a prime time to calm down from all the social interaction you’ve been having. It’s your time to relax and breathe. However, it only lasts so long before you feel lonely and depressed and can’t take the quiet any longer.

3. You thrive off of social interaction.

Socializing is the source of your energy. You love getting to know people and being surrounded by a crowd of people is your happy place. You could talk for hours on end and still find more to talk about the next day. People are your source of excitement, happiness and vigor.

4. That high only lasts so long.

Your social high only lasts so long before you go back into your introverted bubble for an extended period of time. Although you thrive from social interaction, it quickly drains you as well. You find yourself quickly drawing back and becoming quiet and distant from everything going on around you.

5. Your introverted side often annoys you.

It’s the worst when your introverted side comes out in the middle of a social event and you draw back into your shell. All you want to do is interact with those around you but it’s almost impossible to gain that energy back once it’s gone.

6. Extroverted people get on your nerves.

All those extroverted people get on your nerves because you don’t have the privilege of being fully extrovert. You’re stuck in the middle and constantly ask yourself, Why can’t I constantly be on that social high?

7. But you truly love being an introverted extrovert.

You are a person who can relate with almost everyone because you are in the middle. Being able to take quiet time is so valuable but being able to have fun and make new friends is extremely valuable as well. You love being able to go back and forth and ultimately connecting with everyone around you.

Being an introverted extrovert isn’t so bad after all. Embrace it, own it, be yourself. People will come to love you for your spunky, adventurous attitude, but also for your willingness to slow down and listen. Don’t be ashamed of the way God made you. You do you. :)