For those of us with an “introvert personality,” we love our families and friends, and we want to spend time with them. We also know there are business contacts we need to cultivate. We may have fun personalities and enjoy social occasions. But we only have so much energy to use “out there in the world” before we need to recharge alone. I know that sometimes early in the week I’ll make plans for Saturday night, but if it’s a busy week with a lot of time spent with others, then by Saturday afternoon I’m almost dreading getting together with a friend that night. It’s not that I fear going out – it’s that I really long for some time to just be alone. If you’re an introvert, you know exactly what I mean. There is definitely an ideal ratio of time spent with others, especially others you’re not completely comfortable with, to time best spent totally alone, recharging. Some of us need to break away for 15 minutes alone, for every two hours of working with others one-on-one. Some of us can manage a weekend with friends, but we make an excuse to go out to pick up more beer for everyone, just so we can drive alone to the store, daydreaming or singing with the radio. 
I know some introverts refuse to go out with their spouse or even tell the person they’re dating that they don’t want to do anything. Others refuse to go out with coworkers to lunch, just desperately trying to get a moment alone. I’m trying to enjoy friends and coworkers and still keep my sanity. One way I do it is I avoid errands. Once a week I go out to get fresh food for my family, but I do not run by the drugstore for an item or spend my Saturday afternoons at Walmart.
That sounds like a special kind of hell to me. I do my best to know about needs in advance and take advantage of Amazon or Drugstore.com free shipping opportunities. Lately I’ve become aware of Alice. Alice is only available in the lower 48 United States right now, but they say they hope to expand to other countries soon. You can set up a schedule to be reminded, and order all sorts of household items from Alice, at really great prices. There is a six item minimum, but the shipping is always free, no matter how low the total price. I just placed an order for detergent, toothpaste, etc., and now I will have an hour+ to myself that would have been spent in Target hell. Although Alice isn’t available everywhere, the point here is to try to minimize the time you squander your energy on stuff that is not benefitting you in any way. If you don’t enjoy errands, try to avoid them and use your time on the people who count in your life. Disregard that advice if you’re a young single introvert; then maybe you should broaden your horizons a bit because you never know who you’ll meet in that long line to check out at Walmart. 
Photo credit: L’Enfant Terrible ~ catching up…
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Although I’m a freelancer now but I still longed for weekends so I can spend a little quality time with family members. It’s funny that I have more personal time during weekdays when everyone is busy with 9-5 working hours, but I don’t feel ‘restful’ at all. ha.. Sometimes I have to remind myself to stay off the internet and enjoy the view outside my window, basking myself under the warm, morning sun… that’s always my favorite time of the day.
Although I have to admit, when I’m receiving a call from someone I’m not ‘comfortable’ with, I always go ‘uh-oh’, wonder should I pick it up.. LOL
Definitely agree with this! Another thing I think introverts should not spend so much energy on is guilt and shame. Alone time for introverts is not just a luxury, it’s an essential part of our lives. Most people usually think of it as a love-hate thing, when it’s just about wants-needs. Why feel bad about not wanting to spend time with your peoples when you didn’t have enough energy or an urge to begin with?
Think about it: would you rather be with your peoples happy and recharged or sullen and ready to spring at the first moment of solitude? It’s about knowing what you need and not having to apologize for it.
Miyuki that is SO true! I do think a lot of us feel guilty for the fact that we *need* to be alone sometimes. It’s especially bad when it’s close friends or family members we could be with at the moment but we have to break away for a little while. The friends or family members, who do not understand at all, can make us feel even more guilty as they get their feelings hurt. But you said it all right there: So much better to be with your loved ones happy and recharged instead of desperate for some solitude! Introverts NEED to recharge alone. It’s a real need and we should not spend a minute feeling guilty or trying to avoid it.