There are two types of people in this world, introverts and extroverts. Some lay more in the middle, but many lay on the extreme side of one or the other. I am on the pretty extreme side of being an introvert. The most frustrating thing about being an introvert is the complete inability of people who are extroverts to understand what it is like being an introvert. I have been labeled so many things in my life; shy, as having social anxiety disorder, told "I need to come out of my shell." I have come to detest these words and sayings. I have heard from so many people they want to see me be more outgoing. As if there is something wrong being more guarded with who you hang out with, something morally reprehensible about being an introvert, like I need to be "fixed."
I believed this things for a long time, that I needed to "break out." It is only recently that I have become to be more comfortable with myself as an introvert. But now that I have realized there is absolutely nothing wrong with the way I am, I have to say I love the fact that I am an introvert and have no desire in the world to ever change that.
I began to feel more comfortable in my introvert skin when I began reading articles like "myths about introverts" and "things you dont know about introverts" and thinking to myself, "man this article 100% accurately describes me and then laughing to myself. Here are some examples
Myth #1 – Introverts don’t like to talk.
This is not true. Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something
to say. They hate small talk. Get an introvert talking about something
they are interested in, and they won’t shut up for days. Introverts are thinkers. They love to think about anything and everything and just get lost in their thoughts. Talk interrupts this thinking.
I never realized this about myself, but man it is so true its scary. If you want to talk to me about sports or other areas of interest I could go on for days. Otherwise If I dont have anything interesting to talk about, Id rather not talk at all. And boy the second part, yes I am obsessed with thinking. I just love to think constantly. I could be in a car with people and not say anything for 20 minutes, and people just assume Im in a bad mood or somethings wrong because Im quiet, because to them (the extrovert) we must be talking all the time. In reality, I havent even realized I havent talked in so long, I was just so lost in my deep thoughts. The truth is, as vain as this may sound, to the introvert, my own free thoughts are so much more invigorating and interesting than small talk. Small talk makes me want to bang my head against a wall and find a way out of it.
Myth #8 – Introverts are aloof nerds.
Introverts are people who primarily look inward, paying close attention
to their thoughts and emotions. It’s not that they are incapable of
paying attention to what is going on around them, it’s just that their
inner world is much more stimulating and rewarding to them.
Again, building off the previous point. There are few things I hate more in life then if I am walking and am randomly stopped by someone to talk. Whether its a stranger, someone selling something, someone looking for a survey, anything. First of all, that person just interrupted my thoughts, which I just illustrated were super important to me. Second, as an introvert, I need to prepare myself for interaction, I need to be in that "mode" and at that time, deep in thought, walking by myself, I am as far from that mode as I could possibly be.
Myth #5 – Introverts don’t like to go out in public.
Nonsense. Introverts just don’t like to go out in public FOR AS LONG.
They also like to avoid the complications that are involved in public
activities. They take in data and experiences very quickly, and as a
result, don’t need to be there for long to “get it.” They’re ready to go
home, recharge, and process it all. In fact, recharging is absolutely
crucial for Introverts.
This one is also so true, especially the recharging thing. One thing I think extroverts do is feel bad for introverts because they feel they must be lonely since they dont spend as much time with other people. I actually feel bad for extroverts because of their intense NEED to have human interaction all the time and the fact they cant just enjoy themselves on their own with themself for a night. To me the best Friday nights I have are ones in which Im on the couch taking in something I enjoy such as a sporting event or a good book, all by myself.
Myth #4 – Introverts don’t like people.
On the contrary, Introverts intensely value the few friends they have.
They can count their close friends on one hand. If you are lucky enough
for an introvert to consider you a friend, you probably have a loyal
ally for life. Once you have earned their respect as being a person of
substance, you’re in
Another super true one. Some people can walk into a room, start talking to a stranger and boom, they are friends. It takes me forever before I consider anyone a friend. Weeks or months of getting to know someone before I decide if I consider them a friend to me. And the list is purposefully kept very short. But once you are on that friend list, you are set and I would do anything to keep you there. Introverts, myself included, hate to lose friends because they know how hard it is to replace them.
Heres another article about things introverts love, and the first thing on the list made me burst out laughing because of how true it is for me.
1. Walks and Nature
Oh man, do I love my walks. Its such a great way to get lost in your thoughts and clear your head of stress. Above I mentioned my best friday nights. These nights also include long walks with myself and taking in nature. Im not a huge nature buff I wouldnt say but I do love watching sunsets an sunrises as often as possible and taking them in.
2. Writing
My word document list is so long it is not even funny. As an introvert I have so many thoughts all day long that sometime it just feels good to get them down in writing, or typing. This whole article I am writing right now is really just my rambling thoughts being written down because Im bored and am doing what I love to do: think.
3. Downtime
I will never understand how people go to work and then go to a party or other occasion right after. I just dealt with people nonstop for 8-10 hours, I want some time on my couch to myself.
4. actively avoid any shows that might involve audience participation.
Haha. so true.
I really have nothing to add to this, really it was just my rambling thoughts. Mostly though its about how I have come to love my life as an introvert, rather than in the past where I desperately thought I had to "come out of my shell" and be more vocal, but now I am comfortable with who I am.
