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I've always been an introvert but enjoyed having a close group of friends and was outgoing when with those friends! Now, I'm still an introvert but am finding it much harder to make friends. It's like suddenly cat got my tongue and I no longer know how to make conversation with other people? Very bizarre. I'm working on it though because I want to have some mom friends!

I was like @mrsjyw. Shy as a child, then super extroverted in high school, then slowly started becoming more introverted in college to now. Now people require so much energy that I don't have.

@Mrs. Pen: Yeah, I totally get that.

I get overwhelmed by the "audition" aspect of it. You try to put your best self forward so someone will like you and then it takes a while to get to that comfortable spot where you can just be your real self. Or maybe that's just me and I read way too much into the process

Nah, it's easy for me to make friends, but more difficult for me to maintain them.

I wouldn't call myself an extrovert, but I can talk to pretty much anyone. The situation that is my kryptonite is a large party where I don't know anyone ( or like 1 person) but they all seem to know each other. I'm SO not good at just walking up to new groups of people and talking. I have a friend that is amazing at working a room full of strangers (without seeming weird or annoying) and id like to be more like that.

But out me in a group of 3-7 and I have no trouble getting to know everyone.

I think I've always been naturally introverted...I prefer having a small group of close friends rather than being with a huge crowd of people. I became much more outgoing in college. Then after law school I think I just found interactions to be exhausting and I would dread having to talk with clients, colleagues, the courts, staff, etc. Then I became a SAHM and I'm super outgoing now...my husband says it's like I'm trying to date every mom out there bc I'm always chatting with everyone and exchanging contact info and inviting people to hang out. I think bc I don't have a workplace for a social outlet I just talk with everyone - other moms, the dry cleaner, the grocery store workers, etc...I'm always chatting people up

Hmmm... I'd say I lean more toward the introverted side. I wouldn't say that since I had LO though that it's gotten worse. I think introversion for me is more that being "on" with other people saps my energy, rather than giving energy. Now that I have LO, I'm constantly socializing with her, and she kind of uses up a lot of my capacity for interacting with others, and when I get "breaks" from her, I want to spend a little time alone, rather than socializing with more other people.

@Mrs. Pen: YES! It's so weird, right? I don't think I have really low self-esteem, either...but I start to feel like I do when I have these crazy-lady conversations with myself.

Haha. I admire my husband so much for his opposite-ness from me on this one. He will meet someone one night and be taking them hiking or canoeing or meeting them for a drink the next night. It comes so easy to him! This thread is inspiring me to be better about this.

ETA: Yes! Call her! She will be so happy to hear from you.

@Mrs. Pen: If only we lived close together...we could get ourselves out of the funk and have some double dates!!

But yes, it is super intimidating. You can do it, though, and you'll be so glad you did! Plus, she will be lucky to have such an awesome new friend!

I have always been an introvert and much more now that I'm a parent.

I was a huge introvert growing up. Since meeting DH and progressing more in my career, I'm becoming more and more of an extrovert. Around new people though, I'm an introvert!

I'm definitely an introvert, but a mild one...
I really enjoy the company of others but it does exhaust me.
And since having DD I'm pickier about who I spend our time with, because if I know it's not going to be a rewarding experience, I'd rather stay at home with her. The exception being spending time with my family, because they're an obligation.