Dear host, I hope my response will be of some assistance to you.
Upon reading your description, I realized that we share many similarities. I also dislike being disturbed by acquaintances and prefer not to engage in trivial matters. Consequently, when I took the college entrance exam and selected my major, I opted for cities in Hunan that were not in the province's capital. However, I did not want to venture too far from home, so I chose cities in Hubei and Jiangxi that were in close proximity to Changsha.
Subsequently, my husband and I relocated to Zhejiang. Over time, I have experienced a notable degree of contentment. However, I have observed an intriguing phenomenon. Currently, even when I return to my hometown and interact with my former educators, classmates, and acquaintances, I no longer exhibit the same level of apprehension. I am also investigating the underlying reasons for this transformation.
Through sustained awareness and reflection, I have come to recognize that I have attained a greater sense of inner strength and have largely overcome my initial apprehension in the face of their comments.
During my childhood, I exhibited a pronounced shyness and introversion. While my peers engaged in outdoor activities, I preferred solitary pursuits such as reading and writing. I believed that this would enhance my sense of well-being and contentment. However, my neighbors frequently commented on my behavior, both positively and negatively, even when I was physically present.
However, due to my personality, I never responded to anything, and my mother typically spoke on my behalf.
As a result, I suppressed a significant portion of my emotional and experiential repertoire during my formative years. I did not express my emotions and feelings to my family and friends in person. At times, I experienced profound distress, yet I persevered. Due to my reservations about social interaction, I am particularly apprehensive about attending large family gatherings, such as wedding celebrations and family birthday parties.
In addition to greeting each elder, one must also muster the courage to engage in conversation with them. This can be particularly challenging for introverts, who often find such social interactions exhausting.
On occasion, however, they would remark, "Did you call me? It felt like a mosquito buzzing around," which only served to exacerbate my shyness.
It is possible that these experiences contributed to my perception that social interaction was inherently exhausting and futile. Consequently, I may have subconsciously sought to establish my own personal space, which I was able to do through my decision to pursue employment after completing my university studies.
However, I was surprised to find that upon returning home recently, I was no longer as fearful or reserved when interacting with them. I even sought out opportunities to engage with them, to ascertain their needs and to interact with them on a deeper level.
As a result of increased confidence and inner strength, I am now better equipped to handle their varied comments. Instead of being deterred, I utilize these comments to gain deeper insights into their perspectives and my own.
Indeed, the manner in which an individual speaks about another person reflects their own inner needs. To illustrate, one of my relatives consistently assesses others based on their financial status. During our conversations, they frequently inquire about my potential for earning income.
In those years, when I was a full-time mother at home and had not yet earned a single penny through my own efforts, he would inform others that the books I read were useless and would not earn me any money. In the past, when I heard him make such comments about me, I would become angry. However, I have since reached a state of peace, as I am now aware of my own ability to judge the usefulness of the books I read. I also understand that the reason he made such comments is because he has always measured success in terms of money, which reflects his own inner world. I no longer allow myself to become angry as a result of his limited perception.
In this manner, I am gradually able to accept the opinions of others, as I have accepted my own imperfect self. Furthermore, I am aware that there is no obligation to engage in social activities that leave me feeling depleted. Individuals have the autonomy to choose their social circles. For introverts like myself, socializing can be a significant drain on energy, which is why it is crucial to prioritize selecting compatible social partners.
It is essential to select individuals who can provide encouragement and support during social interactions. When there is a comfortable rapport, these individuals can offer strength and warmth.
From my experience, choosing not to work in one's hometown can indeed create a more tranquil environment, but at the same time, one is also faced with the question of whether one can be self-sufficient in an unfamiliar place. If one is able to accept the consequences of one's choice, then there is no problem with choosing not to work in one's hometown. Although one does not work in one's hometown, one can still maintain contact with the people one wishes to remain in contact with there and feel their love and support.
As an illustration, prior to the pandemic, I would return home two or three times a year. Upon each visit, I would cease all other activities and prioritize spending time with my parents, brother and sister-in-law, nephews and nieces, grandmother, and maternal grandmother. If time permitted, I would also visit other relatives' homes to greet them or extend invitations to uncles, aunts, and cousins to have dinner together and catch up. Additionally, I would seek out former teachers who had provided significant guidance to see how they were faring and engage in discussions about the past and present. If there were still opportunities remaining, I would seek out close friends to socialize and share a late-night snack.
These interactions, despite their brevity, have often proven to be more profound than those with individuals who reside at home on a daily basis. Those who know one is rarely home and may not be able to return often will often save their best offerings for the visitor, such as my aunt's white chili peppers, my aunt's handmade tea leaves, and my grandmother's herbal tea.
This evokes a sense of their distinctive love and care. Consequently, despite my physical absence from home, I frequently experience the affection and assistance of family and friends who genuinely care about me.
As a result of this love and support, I am able to feel at ease, secure, and happy regardless of my circumstances.
Therefore, at this time, it is unlikely that there would be any issues if I were to return home. When the appropriate moment arises, I may choose to relocate there to further my career. Ultimately, when one has a sense of security and stability, regardless of one's circumstances, one can achieve a sense of ease and contentment.
It is therefore recommended that one should endeavour to fortify one's inner strength, select individuals with whom to spend more time who offer support and care, learn to contextualise the comments of others in an appropriate manner, and strive to be at ease with one's own identity.
I wish you the utmost success and best wishes for the future.
Comments
I can totally relate to how you feel. It's like the place where you grew up no longer feels like home, and that's okay. Sometimes it's hard to go back because everything changes, including ourselves. Facing old friends and acquaintances can be overwhelming, especially when social anxiety kicks in. It's perfectly fine to need your space and prefer a simpler, quieter life away from the crowd.
It sounds like you've built a new life for yourself in a place that suits you better. That takes courage. It's alright to not want to engage in small talk or deal with the complexities of maintaining old relationships. Everyone has their own journey, and it seems you've found a path that allows you to thrive without the pressure of constant social interactions.
The feeling of not being good enough can really hold us back, but it's important to remember that you're doing what's best for you. Moving to a nearby city was a step towards a lifestyle that matches your needs. It's okay to set boundaries and protect your peace. Not everyone will understand, but that doesn't matter as long as you're happy with your choices.
Home is not just a place; it's a feeling. And if your hometown no longer gives you that feeling, then creating a new sense of belonging elsewhere is a valid choice. It's clear you value your personal space and mental health. Staying true to who you are and what makes you comfortable is more important than conforming to others' expectations or the idea of what home should be.