How do you explain to your partner that simply being around people takes energy?

I saw something worth sharing on the Introvert subreddit on Reddit today.

Someone asked how to explain being an introvert to her boyfriend. She didn’t know how to get him to understand that she needed alone time, and that he shouldn’t take it personally.

The reply of what she should say to him is in the head graphic here.

This is so on-point! There are times when my husband and I are in the same room but we are doing different things–maybe I’m using the computer and he’s watching TV. I shouldn’t be thinking about his feelings, but I can’t help it. I’m wondering if he’s hungry or if he’s going to want to go out later, or things like that.

The only time I’m free from having to think about someone else is when I’m completely alone.