Hi, I’m an extroverted mom. Sorry if you slip on all the word vomit.

Species: Mama Extroverta.

Age: 30 (but might accidentally say “27” if you ask.)

Status: Rescued from a (semi-) wild twenty-something life in the big city. Currently on exhibit in a quiet neighborhood of a not-so-big city.

For the past couple of years I’ve worked from home. Just me and my laptop. And a vat of coffee. I’ve struggled at times not having co-workers to bounce ideas off of (or kvetch to, or swap jokes with). Adding a baby to the mix last year made me realize how working from home is ideal in many ways, but also makes me feel very much like I’ve been transferred to the local zoo. But no one throws me snacks at predetermined times during the day. Where do I sign up for that?

On special occasions I get to go outside to do something other than walk the dog or push my (amazing) one year old on the swings. Or, you know, wander the aisles of the grocery store. If you meet me on one of those rare outings, I’m sorry if you slip on all the word vomit.

I’m off my leash, past the gates and eager to throw my heels up in the fresh air. And talk to adults. About literally anything. Warning: I’m extremely extroverted.

I’m a talkative, bubbly, inquisitive person. Who may also bulldoze a conversation if I’ve been in captivity too long. Oops. I really am sorry. Being an extrovert has it’s merits for sure. I’m the kind of extrovert who get’s lots of energy from being around people, even if we don’t know each other that well. Which might be good considering I don’t have many mom friends. But there are also downsides. I’m also the type of extrovert who, when tired (like, the baby is teething-level tired) actually gets LOUDER and talks MORE. Charming, right? Maybe not. The cherry on top is that I also need heaps of time alone to decompress and process things.

Because all I have is time! Cue overtired, maniacal laughter.

The point is, I need to regularly talk to grown ups or I might go a bit batty. You pick the topic, any topic. I’m sure I’ve been holding on to some related tidbit I can share. Or overshare. But I also really want to listen and learn from you. So if we meet up for coffee, drinks, at a playgroup or a playdate, watch out! I may pounce… on the opportunity to have a chat with an adult. Even if it starts out discussing the relative merits and challenges of Baby Bogs. I’ve been inside for too long and I need to stretch my legs.

And by legs I mean vocal cords. That sentence made sense in my head, I swear.

I’m embarrassed to say that I’ve judged people for being too loud or too quiet in the past. “Oh my gosh, take a breath, chatty Cathy!” Or… “What are you doing over there brooding … you think you’re too cool for me?” I’m happy to say I’ve mostly ditched my inner mean girl but I’m sharing this awful back story just to say, I get it if you’ve judged someone for their word explosion. Or lack thereof.

Just like any mom you may meet – introverted, extroverted, some special combination of the two – I appreciate your patience with me and hope you’ll give me the benefit of the doubt. Because I sure am doing my best.

Any other extroverted mamas out there? Holla at me in the comments. Or in real life. Cuz like, I could use a workout buddy. 500 words per minute work for you?