12 Things That Wear Introverts Out Far More Than Others

These things drain an introvert’s battery in a flash.

A woman in red pants and a striped shirt balances on a large, low-battery icon against a light blue background. Red exclamation marks above her head suggest urgency or surprise.

Being an introvert feels a lot like having a battery that drains too quickly in the busyness of the everyday world. If you’ve ever felt wiped out after a party, you’re not alone. Let’s look at some of the worst things for an introvert’s energy. These things are guaranteed to make an introvert feel drained in no time.

1. Small talk.

A black-and-white cutout of a woman with a skeptical expression is placed on a red background. Speech bubbles with repeated "BLA" texts emerge from her head, conveying the idea of excessive talking or noise.

If they’re honest, most people dislike small talk. But for introverts, it’s practically kryptonite. Every “Nice weather we’re having, huh?” uses some of their precious energy and demands some enthusiasm that feels contrived. They’d rather not have to script every interaction with a daytime TV host’s eagerness. Instead, they’d like to skip straight to the nighttime and have some time alone.

2. Large groups.

A group of five people, diverse in appearance, are sitting around a table in a cozy, industrial-style coffee shop with brick walls and exposed pipes. They are smiling, laughing, and enjoying their drinks while engaged in conversation.

Large social gatherings are guaranteed to be exhausting for introverts. They don’t find the constant hum of interactions invigorating, but it isn’t the people themselves that introverts dread. No, they just can’t deal with the endless barrage of casual exchanges and the effort of remembering names and faces. It’s no wonder introverts often leave these events early, feeling more drained than fulfilled.

3. Open offices.

A woman in a red cardigan stands confidently, leaning on a desk in a modern, open-plan office. She looks into the camera, while in the background, a man works at a computer. The office is brightly lit with natural light from large windows.

Open offices are the worst working environment for an introvert’s sense of inner peace—trying to deal with that relentless noise and constant interruptions is tiring. Once you factor in that there’s nowhere to hide, then it’s easy to understand how this particular layout can turn a regular workday into a test of endurance. This type of office disrupts an introvert’s productivity and increases their stress.

4. Networking events.

A group of business professionals are engaged in a conversation. The woman in the center is smiling, and a man is holding a cup. They are wearing name tags, and the setting appears to be a networking event or conference.

Networking events are challenging for introverts. There’s a lot of pressure to smile and engage with those around you so you can charm every stranger, and this eats away at introverts. They don’t want to perform and turn every handshake into a scene. Instead, they often need to take a breather to step outside for a moment of solitude and time to recharge before heading back into the fray.

5. Spontaneous social obligations.

Unexpected invites are an introvert’s worst nightmare. Each surprise party or sudden group dinner is a recipe for anxiety, and the scramble to seem sociable can be quite disorienting. More often than not, the anticipation of having to participate can be just as draining as the event itself. Introverts need time to plan—and to psych themselves up for these events.

6. Public speaking.

A woman in a blue shirt is speaking into a microphone at a conference. She has light brown hair and is looking thoughtfully ahead. In the background, an audience is seated at round tables, listening attentively. The setting appears to be a formal event or seminar.

Introverts tend to be relatively quiet, and public speaking calls for more attention on them than they’d like to have. The focus of an entire room’s eyes and expectations is only ever going to drain their energy. Afterward, introverts often feel like hiding in a quiet corner to decompress from all the adrenaline of performing. It’s just too much.

7. Being the center of attention.

A woman with short blonde hair and red lipstick poses with her arms raised above her head. She is illuminated by a focused, blue-tinted spotlight, creating dramatic shadows against a dark background. Her eyes are closed, and she conveys a feeling of poise and elegance.

Celebrations that put introverts at the center—like birthdays and promotions—can feel more like interrogations. Who cares about how old they are or how great their achievement was? That relentless attention feels like a spotlight burning just a little too bright. Even well-meaning compliments can feel overwhelming, making the introvert wish for nothing more than a quick escape to solitude.

8. Being somewhere overstimulating.

Group of young adults dancing energetically in a dimly lit, colorful room with vibrant light trails. A woman in a red dress and a man in a black shirt are in the foreground, smiling and raising their arms. The atmosphere is lively and festive.

While loud and crowded places might energize some people, it’s certainly not the case for introverts. In fact, it’s a sensory overload that can make simple outings feel way too difficult. The noise, the people, the pushing—they can’t deal with it. Soon enough, they feel burned out and start looking for a quiet space where they can recover the mental and emotional energy they have spent.

9. Endless meetings.

Aerial view of five people sitting around a wooden table engaged in a meeting. They have various devices and documents such as laptops, tablets, notebooks, and sheets of paper. The setting is well-lit, with bright, natural light from large windows.

Meetings, especially those that include buzzwords and circular discussions, are not something introverts want to deal with. For introverts, having to actively participate or even just follow along can be mentally exhausting. They’d rather do everything via email. As such, don’t be surprised if you see introverts taking a few minutes after a meeting to clear their heads. They need that time alone.

10. Social multitasking.

A group of five friends is sitting on a couch in a cozy living room. Four of them are engaged in conversation and holding drinks, while one person in the foreground is focused on their smartphone. The setting includes a coffee table with a couple of bottles and bowls.

We can all agree—multitasking is challenging. And when you’re trying to multitask social cues, it becomes even harder, especially when you’re an introvert. You’re guaranteed to split their attention and their patience thin. Having to keep up with different threads of conversation and managing their own responses? No thanks. That’s just going to make them feel mentally fragmented.

11. Long days.

A person wearing a light gray hoodie and black headphones is sitting on a train, leaning against the window. They are looking at a smartphone held in their hand, looking relaxed and focused. The train has patterned seats and a bright indoor light.

Days packed with lots of socializing can drain introverts way too quickly. Each hour away from their home is tiring and soon becomes a countdown to when they can finally recharge in peace. Soon enough, introverts feel like they need a weekend just to recover from their weekday social obligations. They’re hoping that they can spend some time truly alone.

12. Emotional moments.

Two people are sitting and talking at a table. One person, with long hair tied back, is wearing a light purple shirt and holding a cup. The other has short hair and is in a blue shirt. Shelves with books are in the background.

It’s no secret that high-emotion scenarios are taxing. Whether consoling a friend or moderating a heated debate, these situations demand an emotional response that leaves introverts feeling depleted. Trying to recover from being so emotionally engaged isn’t easy. In fact, introverts end up spending quite a bit of time in quiet reflection just to figure things out.