Everyone has been categorized at one time or another as either an extrovert, a social butterfly comfortable in large crowds or in front of a group of strangers, or an introvert, a wall flower who enjoys alone time with books, music, or some form or art. There are plenty of people who are comfortable identifying as either an introvert or an extrovert, but there are some of us who are not wholly comfortable as the center of attention or hiding in the corner away from the excitement of a room. We are your extroverted introverts. We are those people who have near panic attacks in large crowds yet go stir crazy at the thought of spending more than a few well used hours alone. It can be terrifying, soothing, and all around confusing at the same time, yet still many people identify with this contradictory theme, including me.
One of our main traits seems to be selective social expression. In other words, we find it difficult or uncomfortable to be the center of attention in large groups, but once surrounded by those we feel comfortable near, it's almost like a show has begun. We become overwhelmingly charming and probably a little annoying, as all of our social energy has been locked behind anxiety all day. This is coupled well with a feeling of extreme euphoria when we find someone we really enjoy spending time with; a tendency to be extremely picky when it comes to friends, so finding people we want to be near for extended periods of time is extraordinary.
We also walk a thin line between needing our alone time and getting very lonely. Alone time is essential for us; as previously stated, social interaction makes us uneasy and we definitely subscribe to mental health time, but it can be a big much. We need the company of those few special people who make us feel comfortable, as to avoid having a mad fit over-something trivial because, quite frankly, we haven't dealt with people much.
If any of this sounds familiar, you might be maiming a mental list of those who fit the description. If you come across a freind who fits the bill, be grateful you've made their list of unique humans worth spending time with.
