I am flashy … and I am on the go all the time. I basically {flash} for myself (I like color in my world); and I get bored easily, so I need to move and be busy.
I can spend hours chit-chatting over coffee at a kitchen table with lifetime friends, when the call comes to "come on over!"
And I do have (and have had for decades) Blogs where I share bits and pieces of myself (selectively). I may say I share 'anything and everything' … but there are pieces of my life NO ONE GETS TO PEEK INTO except Elohim.
Even my flesh & blood husbands, children, and grandchildren don't get a peek at those bits.
People who don't know {me}, tend to think I am an extrovert.
BUT
In reality I'm an introvert.
I only go places alone; or spend time with people I've known all my life … people who understand my silence, and respect my space.
I mostly visit with new friends in their spaces, because it's easier to get up and come home after 30 minutes … than it is to be rude and watch the clock, making it obvious it is time for them to "go home, now". It's not that they bore me, irritate me, or annoy me - I just start feeling antsy: my social energy is being depleted and I need alone time to recharge. It burns a lot of energy to let so much out, while keeping so much in.
I'm complicated.
Only truly special people will understand ME.
The date of January 2 was chosen to acknowledge Introverts because it's the day after the holiday season ends, when introverts can get some peace and quiet to recharge.
Around one-third to one-half of all people in the U.S. are introverts. Though it looks different in everyone, introverts have many of the same patterns of behavior. In general, introverts:
Need quiet to concentrate
Are reflective
Are self-aware
Take time making decisions
Feel comfortable being alone
Don't like group work
Prefer to write rather than talk
Feel tired after being in a crowd
Have few friendships, but are very close with these friends
Daydream or use their imaginations to work out a problem
Retreat into their own mind to rest
Being an introvert isn't an all-or-nothing stamp on your personality. Psychologists think of introverts as falling somewhere on a scale. Some people are more introverted than others. Other people fall right in the middle of the scale. They're called ambiverts.
Introverts usually have a few extroverted traits mixed in with their introverted ones, and vice versa. There are a wide range of ways to be an introvert.
One study shows that introverts tend to fall into one of four subtypes:
Social introverts. This is the "classic" type of introvert. Social introverts like small groups and quiet settings over crowds.
Thinking introverts. People in this group are daydreamers. They spend a lot of time in their thoughts and tend to have creative imaginations.
Anxious introverts. They seek out alone time not just because they like it, but also because they often feel awkward or shy around people.
Restrained/inhibited introverts. These introverts think before they act. They aren't likely to make a decision on a whim. Typically they take longer to take action.
Your introverted ways may change over time, and in different settings, too. You're not likely to swing from introvert to extrovert. But it's possible you could become more or less introverted, depending on what's going on in your life.
Myths About Introverts
One common myth about introverts is that they’re shy. Some introverts may be shy, but this is not the case for all introverts.
Introversion & shyness aren’t linked.
Introversion is a personality type, while shyness is an emotion.
People who are shy tend to feel awkward or uncomfortable when they’re in social situations, especially when they’re around strangers. They may feel so nervous, they become sweaty. Their heart may beat quicker, and they may get a stomachache. They may be inclined to skip social events because they don’t like the negative feelings that take over their thoughts and bodies when they have to go to parties or other activities.
People who are introverted also prefer to skip social events, but it’s because they feel more energized or comfortable doing things on their own or with one or two other people. Introverts don’t choose to skip social events because they have strong negative reactions to larger gatherings the way that shy people do; they just prefer being alone or in very small groups.
Other myths include:
Introverts are unfriendly. Being an introvert doesn’t affect how friendly you may be. Some people may think that introverts are unfriendly because they don’t tend to have large groups of friends, and they may reflect on situations quietly rather than joining in on conversations at gatherings.
Introverts can’t be leaders. Although people may think of an extroverted personality when they imagine a leader, introverts have the skills to be bosses and leaders, too. Some of their qualities make them effective leaders: They listen to their employees’ ideas, they can stay focused on long-term goals, and they may seem less threatening, so people may accept them in their roles.
It’s hard to get to know introverts. Introverts prefer to have deep friendships with only a handful of people. They may not open up to everyone who wants to small-talk, but the people they’re close with know them very well and develop real friendships with them.
What is the love language of an introvert?
Words of Affirmation: Thoughtful texts or handwritten notes mean the world to us.
Acts of Service: A simple action, like making us tea without asking, can feel like a hug for the soul.
Quality Time: This is the quintessential love language for many introverts. It's all about meaningful interaction.
Are introverts loyal?
Introverts are incredibly loyal and give their all to friendships and relationships. They value deep connections and put a lot of effort into them. When they get hurt, it takes a lot for them to walk away, but when they do, it's a slow and quiet process.
Some ways to celebrate World Introvert Day include:
Sharing information about what it means to be an introvert - no 2 introverts are cut from the same cloth … Holland & I are both introvert's; opening up, and sharing with each other about what we need energy-wise is vital. Holland is opening up more - and I am trying not to overload his frequency circuits with too much sharing, too often.
I tend to {put it all out there}; forewarning how I operate, so I don't have to erect walls when I need space.
Holland is more of a spoonful-at-a-time introvert.
We'll eventually find a balance.
Highlighting introverted achievers - Elon Musk comes to mind ;-)
Offering tips for introverts on how to thrive in an extroverted world:
Providing advice for extroverts on how to support introverts - (1) give them space and time to recharge: very important! (2) respect their need for privacy, communicate clearly and patiently, provide advance notice about social plans, and actively listen without assuming they'll readily join conversations (I am learning this about my complicated husband ;-)) (3) essentially, recognizing that introverts gain energy from solitude and may need more time to process information before responding (Holland is learning this about me ;-)).
Suggesting activities and environments that are enjoyable for introverts, such as reading, solo hobbies, or quiet nature walks.
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