While one side of me prefers solitude, daydreaming, music, and contemplation, the other prefers spending time with my friends and going on adventures with them. I definitely seek out opportunities to be alone when my introverted side takes over. In those moments, I imagine myself as a Christian monk or a Muslim sufi. In such a case, if friends have gathered at my house, I can simply say, “Let’s go to our homes.”
I locked myself in my room when I was learning English at an advanced level by myself. This intensive learning period lasted four weeks. I tried to limit my eating, sleeping, and socializing with my friends during this time; it felt like a priesthood. During this time, I was learning at an incredible rate and enjoying even the most insignificant things that I had previously overlooked. I had a similar experience while studying physics.
Otherwise, I’m very friendly. I desperately want to see them and am willing to make sacrifices to do so. For example, if we are traveling with 6 people in a 5-person car, I can easily select the luggage compartment.
Although these two characteristics appear to contradict each other, when used correctly, they can have a positive effect.