When You Both Like and Dislike People

I think everyone who has ever met me would agree:
I sometimes struggle to, let’s say, “connect with people.”

I’m equal parts withdrawn and then critical — aloof and kinda cold until I come on way too strong and say whatever I want, getting my foot in my mouth.

But probably everyone who has ever met me would also agree:

Deep down, I actually care a lot about people.

As an often-angsty, usually-isolated introvert, I was shocked when my mom, sister, and best friend — happy-go-lucky extroverts, every one of them — all used the word “caring” to describe me when I once asked in my mid-20s.

This is a quiet little struggle; a fine line many of us dance.