It’s true. We do live in an extrovert-driven world. People who are amiable, open, and just generally have a loudly confident disposition are usually the ones to get jobs and have an easier time at networking. An introvert myself, I have to force my inner personality, which is normally a comforting presence inside my head helping me observe the people around me and make smart decisions, to shine through on job interviews and networking opportunities. That being said, I’ve procured a lot of opportunities and met a lot of amazing people over the course of my college career because I’ve had to extrovert myself in order to reach my goals. And yet, I find myself coming home to my grandmother, unable to hold a coherent conversation for very long, and tend to barricade my body and mind in my room, play solitaire for long periods of time, and only emerge from my haven of solitude to eat.
Here are 15 ways I have come to identify, accept, and love, the introversion within:
Small Talk is the Bane of Your Existence
Is it really the weather you want to talk about, or how rainy days cause a severe case of Seasonal Affectation Disorder and that’s why you can’t wait for summer?
Big Crowds are Suffocating and Claustrophobic
When you step into a big crowd, repeat the following words to yourself: “Breathe, they’re just people. They’re not trying to close in on you. This will not last forever. Think happy thoughts. Think about when you get home, to your quiet bookshelf with – F*CK, WHY ARE THERE SO MANY PEOPLE IN ONE PLACE GOING ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE??!”
Every Person You Meet Has a Distinct Energy
Everybody gives off a vibe. Introverts are just more adept at sensing this energy. This is both a good and a bad thing.
Silence is Comforting
Don’t feel the need to fill the silence with conversation? You’re not the only one.
Canceling On Friends Because You're Tired of Being Around People Is Completely Normal
We get our energy from being alone. We need time to reboot. Or else we become very crabby even towards people we like.
You Don’t Make Friends Easily
If you have an introvert as a friend, realize that you were handpicked out of many people he/she comes across on a day-to-day basis because we saw something in you that didn’t make the conversation feel overwhelming or tedious.
You Are Drawn Towards Careers Involving the Arts, Public Service, and a High Volume of Detail-Orientation.
Writers. Painters. Medical Transcriptionists. These are jobs that hone the skills of introverts – observation, creativity, attention to detail, and interaction with as little people as possible.
What About You? What Are Some Signs That You Think Are Indicative of Introversion?? Share Your Thoughts!
