Active vs. Passive

Whenever I hear the words “active” and “passive” used in the same sentence, my mind immediately goes to the sense of someone trying to sell me on some idea in which, if I actively invest now, I will be able to sit back and collect passive income from that investment. I tend to be 100% cynical about those types of offers, so when I hear or see one, I’m immediately tuned out – no interest – not quite that dumb – ain’t gettin’ my money –

Recently, while I was writing and researching about depression (my last post), I came across an article that stated that what some people think is depression in someone is simply someone who lives a passive lifestyle. I’ve vaguely mentioned having someone be concerned about my socialization, or lack thereof. I’ve been struggling with that thought, and I did recently recognize that in the 7-1/2 years I’ve lived in Pennsburg, my socialization (lack of) has been the same! I’m having difficulty understanding why this is suddenly an issue, all the while realizing that this person’s life has had some major changes recently, and it’s HER lifestyle that has changed, not mine, and just because I don’t want to do the things she does to keep herself occupied doesn’t mean I don’t socialize. I mentioned in my last blog that I’m not interested in making new acquaintances simply because we share a commonality. I also don’t consider every person I’ve ever interacted with a friend just because I know him/her.

For 7-1/2 years, I have gone to appointments for hair, nails and all things medical. I am a ‘regular’ at my grocery store of choice, so I’ve gotten to know a few of the employees well enough to have a small interaction when possible. I make an occasional run to Walmart (when necessary) and go to the Dollar Tree store since it’s right there too. I occasionally go to the UPS store if I have to ship something or have an Amazon return. For several years, my bestie and I tried to meet for lunch on the last Friday of every month at her quitting time from work so we could spend time together one-on-one. I am on Facebook and involved actively in two groups – one about books and reading (DOH!) and one about things Pennsylvania Dutch. Honestly, I think I get plenty of socialization just being on social media!

And then, I have a great deal of socialization in this blogging world. I’m getting to know people and learn about people by the blogs they write and by the way they respond to my blog. I never really thought about it before, but there some bloggers to whom I’m loyal, whose every blog I see posted by them is one I will go to read, regardless of the topic. Every blog post is a chance to see beyond the computer screen to the person putting their words out there, and that makes me recognize that I am socializing, just not face-to-face.

So, okay, I live a passive lifestyle, but that doesn’t mean I am a passive person. My brother is probably the only one in the people who know me who know that I have a very reactive temper, and that occasionally it takes over my sanity. In those moments, when vitriol is known to make itself available for assistance, I’ve allowed it. In that way, I am very much like my mother, but at a much lower scale. When one of us children would do something to raise her anger level, she tended to punish first and find out the details later. I abhor physical abuse to children by adults for that reason alone. I am also very aggressive when I see someone hurting someone I care about, physically or verbally. I may not be a mama bear, but I have the instincts of one!

I recently (two days ago) found an article that is very accurate in showing who I am. The article is called If These 11 Things Describe You, You’re Probably A Low-Key Introvert (bolde.com), and I clearly see myself in 9 of the 11 things listed (excluding #7 and #8). I rather like that naming of it, and this article doesn’t exist because I’m the only one (there is safety in numbers, right?).

Therefore, I wish to go on record about three things of which I’m certain:

I (CONTENTEDLY) LIVE A PASSIVE LIFESTYLE, and

I AM A LOW-KEY INTROVERT and

I AM OKAY WITH BOTH OF THOSE THINGS ABOUT MYSELF WITH NO PLANS FOR CHANGE.

And that is all I’m going to say about that!