Applied Economics of Socialization and the Many Combat Suits I Wear

The past couple of weeks, incredibly hectic for me socially speaking, have taught me a big lesson. Social life can be a drug with horrible side effects. I've seen at least three people a day (socially), sometimes more, for fifteen days. That's a lot of coffee, beer, popcorn, name it. That part is alright. The part of interacting with many that is not ok is how much of their energy they leave you and take from you. One could easily lose oneself in a constant transaction of energy with others. Some take stuff from your life, some others leave stuff in your life. Some is incredibly positive, some is not. You become a bank of stories, memories, feelings, attitudes. You earn bonuses, and you give loans. Socialization ends up not being that different than the Economy.

I have invested tons socially, and I've made my profit. This period of time led me to make one big decision. I'm going back to the shadows. For a while, I have enjoyed a certain popularity even I am not able to understand. Social media has also given me a spot. I have piled up likes on Facebook and followers on twitter, and it gets addictive though I really don't have an idea of what to do with them. I know many people in San José because I think I project that I like to be around people. Or so it had been for a while. It turns out, this overtly social persona is earning me a whole lot of frustration. Maybe I'm a bank that is facing a financial crisis - though I wouldn't fill in for bankrupcy just yet. I know a lot of people, but not a lot of people know me. Sure, they recognize my face and have a certain notion they like me, but very few people wants to see deeper than that. Believe it or not, that hurts.Fit the mold, and the moment you don't, no one's interested in your company. Use the right strategy to attract investment and remain popular and current.  It ends up being kind of like when in a videogame you wear a certain armor for certain missions because you know you start with a boost that gives you advantages.
-Isaac the party animal: Most succesful combat suit. Drink like crazy, dance around, smile, encourage people to do the same. Make the night memorable. Give them a reason to laugh or something to talk about. Create an environment that lifts all the worries they've had all day. This suit is incompatible with the intellectual suit and little compatible with. At the end of the day, it is always easier to reduce Isaac to an alcoholic.
-Isaac the coordinator: (also known as Isaac the reliable) The suit I have to wear for my job, when I present myself as a responsible, hardworking person. Everybody has high expectations of the performance of this suit, so you better work accordingly.  People would think I love being a workaholic, but the truth is, when the day is over, I want to forget about work just as anybody else does. This suit is incompatible with any suit that shows you have a life.
-Isaac the family guy: Act wisely, support your family, listen to each one of the members. Encourage them in their hopes and dreams, help them if you can. This suit works perfectly as long as I remain asexual, not defying traditional values and as acting like my life is less important because I'm not getting married, starting a family, or going back to university any time soon.
-Isaac the sympathetic: More than a suit, it is a shade you can implement with other suits. I'm the one listening all the time. I appreciate that people talk to me about their problems, but I'm not a garbage can where you throw your crap and leave. "Thanks for listening, Isaac" is rarely followed by a "how have you been?". I'm a little tired of people just talking and the moment you take your turn to talk, their body language tells you right in your face they couldn't care less about what you are about to say.
-Isaac the misunderstood artist: "Whatever idea he has, it's fine, you wouldn't understand so don't even try. Let him be. It'll pass. We've seen sketches, and drafts, but we haven't seen any finished painting or book. Let him be with his blog and his 70 views per post. That's ought to make him happy"
There might be more "combat suits" I have. I'm just really tired of speaking of myself in third person singular at this point.

Have I profited in the social business? Yes, a lot is earned, but then a lot is spent to keep the social machine running. Those suits are expensive.The expenses are often personal. Some times you're just exposing your brand to criticism, but no one is buying the product. So, what about just be without trying to hard? Well, for how long do people hold a position of popularity without constantly working on their social skills and making social expenses? It's simply impossible. To win big, you have to bet big. Some days you come home with a ridiculous amount of "popularity points" earned. Some others, you lost big time. That's the game I no longer want to play.

So here I am at a point of my life where I'm officially declaring that my company is out of business. Allow other people to be popular and be seen on the scene while I keep my peace. Smart business people should keep in mind the principles of comparative advantage apply, and I should not invest more in a business in which other people are incredibly better if that's delaying the promising business where I most likely thrive: I'd like to think that's creating as an artist, as a writer.

Enjoy your parties and your trips. I'll be home rethinking the economics of my life.