Add me to the list.

I am VERY different from what are considered to be “normal” people. Though, I understand that normal is in the eye of the beholder. And I do concede that nobody is normal, or that, at least, many people feel like an outsider just like me.

But, I am very different. I have developed some skills that, if I am in the right frame of mind or mood, I can appear to acquaintances and people I’ve just met as a friendly, down to earth fellow. But that is because I know that when talking with someone you should ask questions of them and get them to talk about themselves. Many people like to talk about themselves, and they leave the conversation believing that they know something about you, and that you are a swell person.

I can only handle one or two “close” friends at a time. But I have always been known to disappear for long stretches. Not only because I am an introvert and need to recharge in my safe space, but because I have a real issue with mood disorders. As my eldest daughter describes me, I’m either way up, or way down; there is no “normal”.

Thankfully I have my wife of 21 years. She’s my best friend ever and an introvert too.

It’s always been hard for me to develop real, deep friendships because I am weird and unpredictable. I wish I wasn’t.