Changing Personalities

Something's been bugging me lately. I seem to have gone from an extrovert to more of an introvert.

Everyone has been taking those Myers Briggs personality tests lately on Facebook. I'm not saying that those particular ones are the most reliable tests around but those that I've taken recently seem to suggest that I'm now scoring at the opposite end of the spectrum than I used to.

I don't know why this bugs me so much. I first noticed after DaHubby and I got married. I used to be the one at every party talking loud, making a scene, and gathering attention. But, now I'm mostly uncomfortable in situations like that. I'm more aware now through my reading and research about my ADD social awkwardness and tendency to blurt out whatever is rattling around in my head at the time. But, I'm more than happy now to stay outta the limelight and let DaHubby be the social butterfly. And, oddly enough, nowadays I'm more direct and more comfortable being up-front yet have more trouble making friends than I used to.

I've worked in customer service/civil service type jobs most of my life - today the thought of returning to those situations stresses me out to no end. Too much conflict, negotiating, distractions, etc. Sometimes it's hard for me to imagine I ever worked in law enforcement. LOL

I'm pretty much still self-centered and get self-absorbed dealing with my distractions and work each day...well, I'm just bein' real. But, the skills I've garnered in the last 10 years seem to have completely changed how I am scored in those personality tests.

One constant - though I'm not surprised - is my teaching. Every gifting evaluation, every test, every quiz points to my love of teaching. I've consistently scored in that area/skill set since I was young and can remember saying obnoxiously "there's NO WAY I'll EVER be a teacher!" LOL

So, is this just the maturation process? The self-awareness process? It worries me that I may have been "acting" all those years. Was THAT the "real me" or is THIS the "real me"?

While I'm working my tail off harder than I EVER imagined I would be raising the Vikings, I'm happier and more content and feel more myself now than ever.

That's a good sign, right? LOL

Contemplating Simplicity

While browsing through one of DaHubby's favorite magazines, I found this book listed in a set of recommendations from the folks who generally read it.

Voluntary Simplicity was originally written in 1981 and apparently was considered quite a landmark for those looking to step back, simplify, and work towards less consumable and more sustainable lifestyles.

Now, I've made the stereotypical and generational swing from liberal young person to conservative older person. I was very interested and followed Sierra Club and Amnesty International and the like in college. I was a moderate "tree hugger" in terms of the environment. As I have (hopefully gracefully) aged, my beliefs and political leanings have changed dramatically. And, as we can see in any given day in the media, there's still MUCH polarization between the two extremes of the political spectrum.

But, while this is written from a definite "tree hugger" mentality, I think it is a very well balanced middle road and also very relevant now as our economy is shuddering from the results of overconsumption.

I haven't finished the book yet but I AM thinking about my responsiblities to my family and the earth and this book is opening my eyes up to other things we can do to simplify and enrich our lives without all the media, technology, and consumerism. And, how my heart was right about limiting all the comsumerism aimed at the Vikings.

More to come...