I am an introvert. I am SUCH an introvert. (Hello classic ISFJ) The older I get and the more I learn about what it truly means to be an introvert (beyond the superficial, erroneous definition of just being "shy"), the more I feel like I understand how to make my professional and personal lives work better for my personality type.Someone who I used to know once said, upon my noting that I was an introvert, "What?! No you're not. You like people!" To say he didn't "get it" would be a vast understatement.
When I was a kid I was shy, but I first really observed my introvertism in that being with groups of people or unknown people wears me out. Even if I'm enjoying it. It's not a matter of enjoyment, just a matter of what energizes me vs. exhausts me. I realize now that if I'm going to be in a situation like that, I have to make sure to schedule in down time to balance it out.
I saw the article on the right about the care of introverts. It made me smile, but also really struck me how true it is! There is a great deal of comfort that comes with knowing you're not alone and/or crazy for your personality traits.
I am intensely private. Ironic, since I work in a job that involves a lot of research in sharing your life online. And more ironic, considering I'm posting this in a very public forum of the world wide web.
I need time to process through things. I don't go well from one task to another with no warning. It's just amazing how well this hit it on the head.
Are there any other introverts in the house? I think introverts tend to do well in online communications because it allows them to both be alone AND interact with others. Are you an extrovert who doesn't understand introverts? Let's virtually hug it out, peeps.
4 comments:
I'm a ginourmous extrovert. You know, in case you had no idea. I'm only beginning to learn how to treat introverts. I think most people find me overwhelming.
Haha, I know what you mean! There are times when I know things bug me out that really shouldn't, or I wish wouldn't. Ah crazy. The yin and yang of life.
LOVE this post. So true. I'm an introvert, and that list of do's and don'ts is perfect! I recognized many of the qualities of an introvert in myself, long before I even knew what an introvert was. I know I liked to have just a few close friends, rather than a whole ton of friends. I knew I'd rather have a conversation than be in a big group. I knew I had to think and process and have slow meaningful conversations, and that I HATE to be interrupted. Um yeah, I'm an introvert.
Let's all have a giggle that I just googled "The care and feeding of introverts" and found my friend Ann's blog.
My partner in life is an introvert and while I've learned a great deal from the day-to-day stuff, I'm struggling on how to be a good partner during times of crisis. Any articles or books you could point me to?
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