Being an extrovert is something I wouldn't change about myself for the world, but as someone with a good amount of introverted friends, it's easy to feel slightly misunderstood. I'm writing this article for you, so that you may better understand the habits that perplex you the most about us extroverts.

1. We are verbal processors

We need to process our thoughts externally by talking them out with someone. If we have a problem and can't find someone to vent to, we will resort to talking to the steering wheel of our car or a wall. It may seem like we're neurotic or selfish, because every time we have an issue we have to talk about it, but understand that this is how we handle conflict.

2. We loathe awkward silences

Whereas some may be comfortable with lulls in conversation, we extroverts dread them. This can get us into trouble, because we will blurt out the first thing that comes into our heads to save the conversation (which, more times than I'd care to admit, actually ends up killing it). We will also ask you if you're okay if you're in a quiet mood, because we tend to equate silence with sadness or anger, not because we're trying to annoy you.

3. We do still need alone time

Just because we get our energy from being around other people doesn't mean that we don't still need to be by ourselves. Though these moments alone will usually be few and far between, they allow us to collect our racing thoughts and rest our running mouths.

4. You can be an extrovert and still be shy/awkward

We may love people, but that doesn't necessarily mean we always know how to talk to them. Sometimes we get nervous, and every random thought we've ever had comes flooding out, or tries to come out but gets stuck, creating the dreaded awkward silence.

5. We need communication

Since we are so open with our thought process, we sometimes assume everyone else is the same way. If you're someone that needs to process internally, let us know that's what you're doing! We are more than happy to accommodate your needs, even if that means not talking to you while you think.

To introverts, we extroverts may seem like an entirely different species, but behind all of the fast talking, constant moving, and excitable craziness, we just really love people, and thank goodness we're not all the same!