There Is Nothing Wrong With Being An Introvert
Posted March 29th, 2010 at 6:17PM
So many extroverts I have known and worked with consider introversion a character flaw - something to be overcome by reading self-help books or attending scripted business seminars on how to be loud and obnoxious and always get your way. Perhaps because they are extroverts they feel it is necessary to loudly point out how quiet you are and how you need to talk more and open up. This constant narrative gets into your head and you think that maybe there *is* something wrong with you.
It took me a long time to not feel horrible about being an introvert. There was an epiphany one day after suffering for so long when I realized that I actually like being an introvert. I like to take my time before speaking so my words are thoughtful instead of blurting out the first thing that comes to mind. I like spending time alone and can be quiet amongst friends and feel perfectly comfortable without the endless chatter about nothing. I feel good when I am quietly reading and absorbing new ideas and thinking about life.
I only wish I knew how to have more introvert friends since neither of us are talking to one another...
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ha ha neither is talking to each other,,,aint that typical
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lol. I wish I had more friends like me.... Introverted. I enjoy being an introvert. Thank you Tort for showing me that it is OK to be this way & like it. lol
TZ -
This sounds so much like me. I am 60 years old and have been an extreme introvert since day one and have come to enjoy it for the most part. I too love being able to be alone and not be bored,to sit quietly on the periphery of a group of friends and not be included in the mindless boring crap that is tossed about. I have over the years fished , played golf , taken long walks, driven tens of thousands of miles and many other activities alone and never felt like I had missed a thing. Yes thetortoise is right to feel good about it. It's OK.
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I certainly don't think that introversion is a character flaw. - I have not read that book but I heard about it - it's called "Introvert Power" - maybe you could read it if you are interested - I don't really know what it's about by the title is pretty much self-explanatory.
Many people actually do not understand the real meaning of the terms "introversion" and
"extroversion," and it took me good ten years (I had a psychology class in middle school) to understand what these terms really mean. How introverted or extroverted you are is NOT defined by your ability to communicate, being able to establish contacts, having many friends etc. - it is not how well you communicate with others but how much communication you NEED. If you live on an uninhabited island and perfectly happy over there - then you are 100% introverted.
Needing people, wanting company - these are traits of an extrovert. If you were completely introverted, you would absolutely happy on your own and would not feel lonely -introvert finds a source of energy within himself, he does not need anyone. There are no 100% intro- or 100% extroverted people - some need more company then others but we all need it. Plus, being extroverted does not necessarily mean that you enjoy everyone's company and want to talk about everything. Being extroverted defines just the need to communicate, and nothing else. -
I lean towards being and introvert and once I had a beautiful friend who was that way as well. We used to do lots of things together, and we were able to sit in silence together without feeling uncomfortable. Unfortunately, she is not around anymore but I will always treasure that friendship.
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