When being around people feels like too much
A reflection on loneliness, overwhelm, and learning to protect your energy.
Lately, I’ve been feeling lonely, but at the same time, I don’t really want to be around people.
I still connect online. I post, I reply, I stay in touch. That part of me feels intact. But in person, everything feels louder. Small talk is harder to fake. Crowded places make me tired. Even casual catch-ups leave me needing time to recover.
This is new for …