Ask HN: How can introverts survive in environments built for extroverts?

[EggCarton]

At the end of the day, and even more so at the end of the week I am so drained. My weekends and evenings exist solely to re-energize for the days and week ahead. Hobbies I used to have are long gone. But it's not depression.

In a very loud and open office space the stimuli are never ending. There's literally no place to go either for me at least.

Any advice? Nobody seems to understand.

[dsr_]

How much of your job requires interacting with people?

Can you work from home? (Can you work from home one or two days a week?)

Can you work different hours, so that you overlap for half the day instead of all day?

Can you face away from other people? Sightlines are important. Can you block other people out with a trifold poster board? (http://www.amazon.com/Elmers-Premium-Tri-Fold-Display-902091... -- $12)

Can you reduce noise with earplugs? Reusable, washable, attached with a cord or band -- they're cheap.

[a3n → dsr_]

If none of the "stay there" solutions work for OP, and you've mentioned it to management, then leave. The majority of your day should not be stressful when there are alternatives.

[exolymph]

Have you been up-front about this problem with your coworkers and your manager? Extroverts won't intuit introverts' needs (in my experience) and you'll probably have to advocate for yourself in very clear language. If you can work from home sometimes or work different hours, like dsr_ suggested, that's also worth a try.

[EggCarton → exolymph]

I have and the solution was to something that suited extroverts.

[exolymph → EggCarton]

I'm sorry, that sucks :( Maybe this company just isn't the right place for you.

[pink_dinner]

Not all workplaces have an open office space. The answer is to find another job and make sure it has something will work for you.