Hello, I am a very introverted/ low social battery/ anti-social person. As I am concluding my internship, my small team is organising a farewell lunch. I’m dreading it, but I think it’s still okay since it’s within my small team I been working directly with – my 2 supervisors and 2 other colleagues. Just that 5 of us. I’m intending to just stick to the supervisor I’m closer with, so it’s not the worst.
On the other hand, another farewell meal is being organised within the ENTIRE DEPARTMENT, with the department head, i.e. my supervisors’ boss. It is not just for me, but for my fellow co-interns as well. This will likely be a dinner event since it’s a meal + drinks (i.e. alcohol). And honestly, I’m dreading this more than my small team farewell lunch. I can skip the drinks component since I don’t drink alcohol; and I don’t want to order non-alcoholic drinks at an alcoholic place. But the fact that it is the entire department (~13pax if everyone’s going) is scaring my introverted self. Like I don’t even talk to around half of the full timers, and I have to eat with them? I really feel like turning this one down, but it’ll be too obvious since the farewell meal was technically meant for me as I’m the intern who’s leaving soon.
CHAT, how? I know these kind of social events (drinks/ work lunches/ dinners) are inevitable when I start working FT, but as someone who is introverted/ low social battery/ anti-social, this is my biggest nightmare. I seriously considered taking an MC for my small team farewell lunch, but on second thought, considering the social scale of both events, the small team farewell lunch is nothing compared to the dinner + drinks for the ENTIRE DEPARTMENT .
Regards,
Someone too introverted/ low social battery/ anti-social for their own good
Hey @focusedmushroom77. Thanks for sharing this. It sounds like you’ve been carrying a lot of worry about these farewell gatherings.
I think many people with small social battery have had that exact moment of seeing a group dinner invitation and thinking, “How do I get out of this?” So, you’re certainly not alone in feeling this way, because there are moments I felt like that too!
One thing that stood out to me was how you often described yourself as “too introverted”. “low social battery,” or even “anti-social”. I wonder if carrying those labels has made this situation feel even heavier. From what you shared, it doesn’t sound like you dislike people or don’t want to connect with them. Rather, it seems like larger social gatherings feel particularly draining and overwhelming for you, and I think many people can relate to that experience.
I appreciate how much thought you’ve already put into making these situations more manageable. You mentioned planning to sit with the supervisor you’re closest to during the smaller farewell lunch, which tells me you’ve been thinking about ways to support yourself. It think that speaks to your self-awareness and your willingness to work with your own needs.
Sometimes, when we’re anticipating a social event, our minds can make it feel as though we have to be “on” for the entire evening or expected to interact with everyone. In reality, perhaps the goal doesn’t have to be to socialize with every person in the room. It might simply be to show up, share a meal, have a few conversations with people you’re comfortable with, and leaving knowing you acknowledged the occasion in a way that felt manageable for you, and that’s a win 
Curious though, which part of the department dinner feels the most daunting to you? Group size? Making conversations? Or feeling like there’s an expectation to be socially engaged throughout the evening?
May you give yourself permission to show up as you are without feeling that you need to be the most outgoing person in the room, and may you remember that it’s okay to honour your own pace while still taking small steps outside your comfort zone 
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Hey @focusedmushroom77 as an introvert myself, this is so relatable HAHA. It can feel so intimidating to attend a social gathering especially when you are not as familiar/close to majority of them. Having to make small talk in such settings can be so draining. I’m glad to hear that you are more open to the idea of attending the smaller farewell lunch. After all, it will be your last lunch gathering with them. On the other hand, the larger farewell party sounds like it has been causing you so much anxiety to the point where you even considered taking MC. Do hope to remind you that it is completely alright to draw your boundaries and turn down certain events if you feel it is too much for you to handle. At the same time, if you do end up going, how do you feel about sticking to someone you are familiar with (just like you are intending to with the small team farewell) and see how things go? I wish you the best and hope things go smoothly for you! 
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Yea im also innie and not comfortable in big grp gatherings. What i find helpful, to focus on the foods. I e nev had any farewell dinner except one time, with my exboss and 1 colleag. U ok to attd the small farewell dinner right? For the big one u can just be honest abt why u rather not join, and still thank them