I enjoy every post I bring to y’all, if I didn’t you would not be reading it, promise. This one is one of my favorite ones though, I learned a little bit rather than just talking aimlessly. For example, extroverts are documented as follows:

“When you are facing a problem, you prefer to discuss the issues and various options with others. Talking about it helps you explore the issue in depth and figure out which option might work the best. ” – Verywell

This should not be a surprise to anyone but I am an extrovert. This characteristic can easily be seen in this blog, at the very least. Y’all are helping me explore the issues of life, ALS, newly married bliss, and the fun of being a dog and cat mom. Y’all are helping me figure out which option is best, encouraging decisions and research, and bringing to light alternatives that are often outside of the mainstream.

According to Wikipedia:

“Carl Jung and the developers of the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator provide a different perspective and suggest that everyone has both an extraverted side and an introverted side, with one being more dominant than the other. Rather than focusing on interpersonal behavior, however, Jung defined introversion as an “attitude-type characterised by orientation in life through subjective psychic contents” (focus on one’s inner psychic activity) and extraversion as “an attitude type characterised by concentration of interest on the external object” (focus on the outside world).”

It’s interesting to see the discussion in the difference between viewing extroversion as an attitude type rather than a label. We’ve discussed this before under the topic of spirituality and how I was raised to discuss my relationship with God as a journey rather than a “one and done” decision. So if me being an extrovert is more about my attitude towards life rather than an either/or situation, how does ALS play into it?

“An extraverted person is likely to enjoy time spent with people and find less reward in time spent alone.” – Wikipedia

I’ve learned that as I’ve gotten older my extroverted tendencies have gotten more extreme. Not entirely sure if this is because it takes me so much longer to get somewhere or do something that the anticipation is higher due to delayed gratification, we’ll call it the “Santa Effect”. My mood and energy level is directly related to the weather, or the days agenda, and has even less to with how I feel physically.

I’m not sure if you consider it an ALS pro or con, but if we only consider my physical status, my response to “how are you feelin’?” is honestly “Good!” I have very little pain (thankfully), no unfortunate medication side effects (thankfully), and no dietary restrictions (whoo hoo). When looking at my mental and emotional status, my answer isn’t always as consistent. This is where the extroverted Sunny gets trumped by ALS Sunny and it gets harder and harder to satisfy my natural attitude towards life when my body is continuously exhausted.

According to VeryWell:

“Extroverts tend to find such social interactions refreshing and they actually gain energy from such exchanges. When extroverts have to spend a lot of time alone, they often begin to feel uninspired and listless.”

Now that I’m not working, staying home more, and having to be extremely intentional in my pursuit of interaction with friends I do find myself feeling uninspired and listless. I’m still working on finding the “ah ha” moment in this major life change for Kenneth and I and can’t wait to share it with y’all when it’s uncovered.

No, I’m not depressed, please don’t worry. I’m discussing this with you to keep from being depressed and stir crazy and senile. So we’re not depressed but definitely under stimulated, check! We’re calling this the “greener grass effect” because I finally have all the time to do all of the things I never had the time to do while I was working and I’m questioning it. Silly Sunny.

“Being an extrovert is a full-time social job that requires you to entertain the crowd, so when you suddenly stop doing what you’re supposed to do, you’re gonna get boo’d off stage.” – Thought Catalog

Well I’m doing the boo’ing, y’all. My extroverted, adventure seeking self is having a hard time with all this down time. Playing catch-up from running full speed the last 30 years, I guess. Glad to know that ALS may take the muscles out of the girl but it cannot take my personality.