Today I politely declined an invitation to an Easter brunch. I like the family that's
hosting it, but I went last year and it ended up being about a six-hour day, which is
a bit long for me to be out socializing. My brother (who conveyed the invitation)
remarked that both he and a friend of ours have noticed my tendency to "shut down"
after a few hours of socializing. I don't have sensory or speech problems but I do
get tired and withdrawn and long to be home. I am not a good guest for longer
than a few hours. Living alone is very beneficial to me.