For Those Of You Who Need To Know What The Introvert Life Is Like:

In these times you are either an introvert or an extrovert, with extroverts sweeping the nation as an example of “what we all should be.” Let’s be honest here, it would be nice to be able to have lots of friends, not puke before having to do a presentation, and to wake up in the morning and now have any anxiety on what you have to do today. But in actuality, it’s not like that.

There are different kinds of introverts, the most popular ones being: Thinking, Anxious, Restrained, and Social. In fact, 16-50 percent of the population are introverts, while 50-74 percent, are extroverts. And given the high percentage of extroverts, it makes it hard for them to understand us introverts. Why we are the way we are. Why we rather hang by ourselves than with a huge group of people.

So I’ve made a handy-dandy little guide to all things introverted. Whether you are an introvert looking for someone who understands you, or an extrovert trying to get why your friend is the way they are, this is for you.

[DISCLAIMER: This guide does not display one main introvert. Introverts are different across the whole spectrum. One might relate to a few of these, while one may be all of them. We are all made different therefore have different personality types. ]

Types of Introverts

• Social Introverts: Rather socialize with a small group setting and attend parties for close and personal friends. They also sometimes preference no group at all and like to stay home alone with a book and Netflix. There is no shyness or anxiety being felt in the small setting.
• Thinking: These types are dreamy and creative while thoughtful and self-reflective. They are dreamy and always thinking of the next big thing.
• Anxious: They may seek out solitude because they feel self-conscious or socially awkward in a situation. It stays with them even in solitude as they go over what could have gone wrong and what will. It’s a constant battle of the mind.
• Restrained (or reserved): They think before they speak and work at a slower pace. They can’t immediately jump into anything and it takes a while for them to start their day.

We hear everything.

We tend to be more reserved and keep to ourselves in situations. It doesn’t mean we aren’t listening though. In fact, we can hear about who Abigail’s ex, cheated on her with across the room while still maintaining a conversation in front of us.

We aren’t being rude.

Some people take our lack of talking constantly as a sign that we think we are better than them, or that we just don’t care to participate. Well, we do care, it’s just harder. We like to listen and then think our responses through before we say them; when we come up with them, it’s usually past the point.

Energy.

Introverts tend to get their energy from being by themselves and possibly around a small group of people, or even just one person. Extroverts get their energy from socializing with others and constantly being stimulated by people. That’s why we like our alone time and rather be by ourselves.

Socializing is draining.

There’s only so much interaction we can take and everyone’s limit is different. It not only drains us mentally but physically too and sometimes you just got to take a nap after.

Quiet is key.

Yeah listening to music on repeat is fun and going to concerts are incredible but every once in a while, you just need quiet. And it’s nice. Really nice. To just hear the sound of your keyboard going or to be able to hear your thoughts in the shower. It’s calming.

We work better alone.

Don’t get offended if we don’t want to study with you. It’s just that we won’t get anything done. To be our very best, we have to do it alone sometimes. Which is why group projects kill us.

Screening calls.

Sometimes we just don’t have the energy to talk at the moment and have to screen calls. Even from friends. Long intimate phone calls with a friend are nice, it’s just hard to do when you're already drained of energy.

Inner-dialogue.

If we stare off into space, and drone out, it is probably just us thinking and processing things. We could also be thinking of how badly we want to get back to our tv show or book. Our minds drift off easily.

"Old-Souls."

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been called an “old soul,” I would be rich. Since we think before we act or speak, we appear more analytical and wise. I don’t mind being called one though, it’s a compliment for me.

Our shell.

Please don’t tell us that we just, “have to come out of our shells.” It won’t change anything. Every parent-teacher conference had that line and it didn’t morph me into some outgoing social butterfly so why would it now?

Words are hard.

Our minds are racing a mile a minute and analyzing each thing and so sometimes it’s hard to translate that all out in verbal speaking. Which is why we sometimes trip over our own words and are better at writing.

Recovery

After every social interaction and event, we go to we also need a recovery period. That’s why I can have a seemingly open schedule but still, want alone time. It’s draining.

Not over-complicated.

To us, it’s the little things that are fun. Like watching a movie with friends, just sitting on the couch and talking over coffee, baking, reading, shopping, etc. We don’t need to go on some grand adventure to feel like our life is being lived. Of course, we still love taking the occasional adventure somewhere, it’s just that we also enjoy doing mundane things like water coloring.

We don’t like talking about ourselves.

Listening is easier. Which is why we always direct the question back at you after answering quickly and vaguely. We feel conceited and boastful if we talk too much. When we do open up though, it’s always with someone we fully trust and it may take a while to build it up.

It’s also important to remember that it doesn’t matter if your introverted or extroverted. One is not better than the other. It’s just good to understand each other and know the meanings to what each other does.