Two of the most confused terms are extrovert and outgoing. Chances are, if you’re just outgoing you’ve been mistaken for being an extrovert. Here are five signs that you’re really an outgoing introvert and not an extrovert.
1. You hate small talk.
You really don’t care if it’s snowing more than it has in 20 years. You can look outside and see that for yourself, and you really don’t want to have a half-hour long conversation about said snowstorm. You would much rather sit around with a close friend and have a heart-to-heart about their life and what is going on than talk about said snow storm.
2. You’re always volunteered to present on behalf of your group, but you really hate it when that happens.
Everyone thinks that you love talking to people and that you’re super extroverted. While you do like being friendly towards people, the thought of having to give a presentation may make you want to throw up.
3. You get energy by spending time alone.
After spending a certain amount of time with too many people, you start to feel drained. It is now taking energy for you to hang out with these people -- even if you love them to death. When hanging out with people starts to feel like a chore, there is a good chance that you need to go and curl up with your favorite book or Netflix TV show for a little to recharge your socialization battery.
4. You love leadership positions, but sometimes you struggle with being the center of attention.
Taking charge of a situation is super liberating. However, it can also mean all eyes are on you, so depending on how full your “people battery” is it may exhaust you. But because you love your leadership position you wouldn’t trade it in for the world! Even if you do need to binge watch an entire season of Jane the Virgin when you’re finished.
5. You have no problem talking to anyone because you’re outgoing, but because you’re an introvert you’re only close to a few people.
You may say hello to everyone you see on your way to the dining commons, but that doesn’t mean that you’re going to be super close to every one of them. You need friends that understand that your silence is not a bad thing.
Outgoing introverts are really introverts at heart, but they do love making friends and becoming friends with people. You just have to let them go and watch Netflix every now and then.
