If You Feel Relieved When Plans Change, You Likely Have These 11 Brilliant Personality Traits
YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV / Shutterstock Even though they tend to appreciate, enjoy, and thrive in social environments, like those of their extroverted peers, introverted people tend to prioritize their alone time. Too much social engagement and interaction can be quickly draining, which is why changing plans and last-minute cancellations aren’t always as disappointing as they might be for people energized by spending time with others.
From emotional intelligence to an appreciation for alone time, if you feel relieved when plans change, you likely have these brilliant personality traits and attitudes. Your social battery needs intentional alone time to recharge, and if you’ve already had a long day or a lot of social interaction, having someone else cancel plans can reward you with that rest and relaxation.
If you feel relieved when plans change, you likely have these 11 brilliant personality traits
1. You’re self-aware
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If you feel relieved when plans change and appreciate your alone time, chances are you’re an incredibly self-aware person. You don’t guilt yourself over the need to rest or spend time alone, and often know what you need to feel better on any given day. Like fellow introverts who have a preference for alone time, you appreciate any extra time for solitude at home.
Not only do you appreciate your alone time, but your self-awareness often allows you to enjoy it without fear or anxiety. You’re not trying to run from emotions sparked by quietness, and you build resilience by regularly facing stress and unresolved feelings as they come up during this alone time.
2. You’re effortlessly creative
Many experts suggest that alone time sparks and amplifies creativity, which is why you may feel relieved when plans change or people cancel at the last minute. You have more time to flex your creative muscle and tap into the refreshing feeling of creativity without distraction or social expectation.
So, even if you feel a twinge of guilt for feeling relieved when someone cancels, chances are you’ll feel much better leaning into creative habits that bring you joy. Whether it’s painting, writing, or enjoying a comfort movie, these creative habits and behaviors add meaning to the seemingly mundane parts of life that so many people run from by over-scheduling themselves.
3. You’re internally gratified
Many people who need external validation, attention, and reassurance to feel stable in their lives overschedule themselves and maintain a million superficial relationships to seek those experiences. However, if you feel relieved when plans change, you likely have the brilliant personality trait of being internally gratified.
You don’t need other people to reinforce your sense of self-worth, and instead, carve out alone time and personal routines that gratify and fulfill you from the inside out. You’re not reliant on social plans or other people to feel secure, so when plans are canceled, it doesn’t feel like a personal attack or an overwhelming disappointment that throws off your entire mood.
4. You’re a deep thinker
If you appreciate alone time and find yourself leaning into introverted habits in your solitude, chances are you’re an incredibly deep thinker. Whether it’s in your relationships or in your personal routine, you crave depth and often feed into things that are innately meaningful, even if they take more time and effort, rather than resorting to superficiality.
That’s part of the reason why introverted people often have smaller social circles. They prefer to invest their time and energy in meaningful, deep connections rather than draining their social battery on small talk and superficial interactions.
So, if you feel relieved when plans change, especially around social events or crowded environments, you might be a deep thinker who’d prefer to invest their time in habits and people with depth.
5. You’re internally motivated
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According to a study published in PLOS One, people with a strong sense of self-determined motivation and discipline often appreciate and seek out more alone time. So, if you feel relieved when social plans are canceled in favor of your alone time, there’s a chance you have these brilliant personality traits.
You don’t need other people to reassure you that you’re doing the right thing or making the right decision. You have all the tools and self-awareness needed to fulfill and motivate yourself in ther ight direction, whether it’s to move your body or make time for a hobby.
6. You’re independent
Whether it’s regulating your emotions without external validation or being able to manage your own boredom, if you’re an independent person, chances are that canceled plans are often a relief for you. You’re not dealing with any lingering disappointment from not having people to meet your needs, because you can meet them from yourself.
As many introverts agree, your independence isn’t something to fear or run from, but something that you actively exert and appreciate often.
7. You’re emotionally sensitive
Whether it’s a sensory sensitivity to crowded places and loudness or a general emotional sensitivity that requires care to regulate, if you feel relieved when plans change, you likely have these brilliant personality traits.
Especially in our culture today, which is growing more narcissistic by the day, it’s a superpower to have this kind of emotional sensitivity, especially when it also transforms into empathy, intentionality, and self-love.
Cancelled plans only mean you have more time to reconnect with that tender, emotional part of yourself, and if the plans were going to force you to push that away, it’s a relief.
8. You’re observant
Whether it’s being comfortable observing your own emotions or being intentional about crafting habits that act on the struggles and needs you’ve observed in your everyday life. Of course, being observant is tied to relationships and social interactions, but it’s also tied to alone time, emotional intelligence, and even creativity.
So, if you feel relieved when plans change, you may have this brilliant personality trait.
9. You appreciate simplicity
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Introverts tend to greatly appreciate simplicity in their lives. They don’t need distractions, overscheduled social plans, or other people around to feel safe and secure, but instead alone time and reflective habits that connect them back to themselves. So, if you feel relieved about changed plans, you may have these brilliant personality traits.
You don’t need to overcomplicate things and overschedule yourself for a sense of peace in your life, because personal routines, hobbies, and solitude cultivate that feeling for you.
10. You’re flexible and adaptable
If you’re flexible and adaptable in your life, chances are you’re not easily thrown off by canceled plans and changed social events. If a friend needs to cancel and you’re prompted to make new plans or spend time alone, you’ll figure it out. Whether it’s comfortable to acknowledge that cancellation or not, the relief you feel is tied to your adaptability and independence.
You don’t need to rely on other people to feel comfortable and safe.
11. You’re reflective
Part of the reason why intentional introverts appreciate their alone time is that they’re self-aware enough to reflect. They not only acknowledge their own emotions and feelings, but they also accept them and make changes based on how they feel.
So, if you appreciate reflective habits like journaling and going for walks alone, there’s a chance your relief at canceled plans is a sign that there’s something internal to reflect on and acknowledge.
Zayda Slabbekoorn is a senior editorial strategist with a bachelor’s degree in social relations & policy and gender studies who focuses on psychology, relationships, self-help, and human interest stories.
