For the most part when I tell people I am an introvert they say something to the effect of, “Wait, really?” And I know why they have that reaction. Because I’m not really a shy person, I have a voice that carries, a laugh that carries, and probably just not what today’s world deems ‘introverted.” Apparently being introverted means that you’re super shy, sort of hate people, read books and look all hip and lonely in coffee shops, and write journal entries about why people are the worst. And hey, some introverts might do that! But that is not the definition of an introvert. People now days have completely misinterpreted what “introvert” and “extrovert” actually mean. So I have decided to give people the literal definition. I know giving a definition in the introduction is very frowned upon in the English Department world, but here I am, doing it anyways. Introvert “describes a person who tends to turn inward mentally. Introverts sometimes avoid large groups of people, feeling more energized by time alone,” (vocabulary.com). That means that people who side more with introversion, are rejuvenated by alone time. They are able to gain their energy by being alone with their thoughts. They also spend a lot of time thinking in their own heads, whereas extroverts typically speak more outwardly when processing their thoughts. Extroverts also typically gain their energy from being around people, whereas that would drain an introvert.
People often tend to assume that introverts hate people and never want to leave their home, which, again, for some people could be true. But speaking as an introvert, what “being introverted” means for me is that I need a little bit of alone time every day otherwise I will not be very pleasant. I love people, I love being with my friends, I love being openly weird and ridiculous, just as long as I am able to be alone at some point, so that way I can store up energy for when I am around people. Because it does drain me, but not in a negative way. Just in a “shoot I’m pretty tired” way. Another classic introverted thing about me is new social interactions. Because, like the definition says, introverts are very consumed with their thoughts, so in new situations those thoughts are typically something like, “I look so weird”, “I have no idea what to say to these people”, “have I been making eye contact for too long,” “I think I am nervous sweating,” “yeah.. I’m definitely nervous sweating,” “can we get some AC up in here?”
But here’s the thing, I don’t know if that’s as much me being introverted as it is just me being socially awkward. It’s probably a little bit of both. Because I am definitely socially awkward. And I am also introverted. Double whammy, I guess you could say.
Another important thing to remember, though, is that it really doesn’t matter whether you’re introverted or extroverted. That’s just some psychological term that people made up some years ago to try to categorize people. Here’s my advice:don’t let yourself get too categorized.
