Let's Roadtrip for 19 Hours in a mini-van with 7 People!

My adorable sister, who says she thinks she is becoming more of an introvert (not true), recently went on an adventure with 6 friends, a trip that you could not pay me any amount of money to take. She and her gal pals love McKay's Used Books. They have stores in Tennessee and North Carolina. I used to shop at the Knoxville store myself, so I am quite familiar with them. Great bookstore. McKay's just turned 50 years old, and part of their half-century birthday celebration was offering a unique challenge: visit all of our stores in ONE DAY, and we will give you $850 in store credit, a free t-shirt, and a water bottle. My sister decided this was the BEST IDEA EVER! So did her 6 friends. So they loaded up the mini-van on a hot, sunny mid-afternoon day from Raleigh, NC and headed, true road trip style, to Nashville, TN. The plan was to drive from store to store, starting at the Nashville one, ending up in Mebane, NC, at their final stop.

9 hours from Raleigh to Nashville.

2 honky tonk bars, starting at midnight.

Then 10+ hours back to North Carolina, stopping at every McKay's along the way.

When people ask me the difference between being an extrovert and an introvert, I tell them this story.

THIS IS SOMETHING I WOULD NEVER, IN A MILLION YEARS, CONSIDER A GOOD TIME.

But look at the faces in this photo. They are hot, they are probably very tired, they have waited in long lines with hundreds of people. Yet, they are exhilarated. They had the BEST time according to my sister..

Now, I'm not saying all these lovely women are extroverts. In fact, there is probably at least 2-3 introverts in the group, statistically speaking. But my sister is not an introvert. Hint: she is the one in the front, taking the group selfie, with the large joyful expression.

As an introvert, I don't want to take long car rides with six other people, talking aimlessly for hours about subject after subject. I want quiet time, alone time to think all my deep thoughts. Introverts get over-stimulated easier, and faster than those who are extroverts. It's like our resting place is already in a higher gear, so it doesn't take as much for us to say "I'm done here."

AND, I don't evny or want to deny others who want to ride for 2 days in a small hot box, along I40, stopping for fast food and peeing in gas station restrooms. I'm sure they had a magical time, and will talk about this adventure for months, even years to come. I love that. For them.

It's ok to not be swayed by FOMO (fear of missing out), but instead be driven by FOBI (fear of being included).

Here's to my FOBI friends. Let's each curl up in our own homes, with a good book, and maybe text one another an update on how much fun we are having!!