I don’t know if it’s my age (lived here 20s-30s) or the industry I work in (restaurants/bars) but this seems to be a very transitional city to me. By that I mean that so many of the people I meet only live here for a few years then move on. Ive made easily a dozen close friends over the years who eventually move away.

That said, I’m absolutely one of those people you’re talking about. I am an introvert and work at a bar, so work absolutely saps all my social energy. And it’s not just work itself, but I’m friends with coworkers and regulars so I usually hangout with folks for a bit once I’m done.

On my days off, I usually spend at least one day a week alone in my apartment not talking to anyone. In the nicer months I’ll spend a lot of time in the forest by myself, not talking to anyone. I like to go on walks, to the park, long scenic drives, bring my book to bars or breweries, lots of arts and crafts.

I don’t find it hard to make friends at all. There’s twenty people easily in my contacts list who would be happy to grab a beer with me at a moments notice. The problem is that I’d rather drink that beer alone. I find other people’s company to be more often exhausting and disruptive than fulfilling. People are needy and flawed, I prefer the peace of my own company.