We live in a loud world. Extroverts tend to get all the love, and that says you better speak up or get walked all over. But introverts have a lot of qualities that make them stand out in a crowd, even if it takes you a second to spot them. There’s a lot of good to be said about the nature of introverts. For all the quiet people out there beating themselves up over the fact that they can't seem to speak up, here are some seven reasons to embrace that part of you that you think is holding you back.
1. We're good listeners.
You know what’s nice about not doing all of the talking? You get to really listen to the people around you and learn about them. Introverts are happy to take a seat in the background in a conversation. But don’t think that their silence means they aren’t interested. Giving the other person room to talk does wonders when you’re trying to get to know someone.
2. We're creative.
Lots of people who have dedicated their lives to creative pursuits consider themselves to be introverts. Something about sitting back and observing the world around you really lets the creative juices flow.
3. We're empathetic.
Part of being an introvert is being a sensitive person. We feel emotions deeply and that’s a big part of why we need to retreat to our private space so often. But combine this with our listening skills and we can empathize with anyone.
4. We’re quirky in the best way.
I’ll admit, a lot of us can come off kind of awkward. I’ve had my fair share of awkward moments because of my introversion. But it makes for funny stories later.
5. We love deep conversations.
The biggest mistake people make when describing an introvert is saying that they don’t want to talk. This could not be more untrue. Yes, we prefer the background, but we love to dive into deep subjects. Get us talking about something meaningful and interesting and we can go for hours.
6. We’re there for you.
We might spend a lot of time alone and seem withdrawn from people at times, but our friends should know that they can always reach out and we’ll be there ready to listen.
7. We welcome silence.
You know a true introvert when they talk about enjoying silence. So many people feel a need to constantly have some sort of sound around them. Whenever a conversation lulls for a moment they label it “awkward silence.” But introverts welcome silence. It’s an important part of conversation. It allows room for reflection, and space to relax.
This isn't to say that extroverts lack these qualities; I'm sure they relate to these traits too. But there is something about an introverted nature that causes these qualities to rise to the surface. Everyone out there should take some time to step back and embrace their inner introvert.