Introvert/ Introversion Awareness

[star in the sky]

Can I come lurk in this thread? I'm an extrovert (and fully aware of the flaws that accompany that - I'm not going to be offended by anything said here!) but my husband is an introvert, and I love, love, love him for it.
There are so many strengths that introverts bring to relationships, or to the workplace, or to the church, which extroverts sadly tend to overlook. You generally think before you speak so are less likely to accidentally say something hurtful. You're better at staying focussed in a conversation, so when you say something it's relevant. Also, when you say something it tends to be worth listening to because you've spent some time processing it, which extroverts rarely do. We just blurt out whatever inane thoughts come into our heads (and yes, they're often about ourselves).
I hate when my husband comes home from the office dejected because he's been told again that he's "too quiet" or needs to "contribute more to the social life of the office", as though his introversion is some kind of defect. (When in actual fact, it's a strength.) It's just lazy thinking and a reluctance to change the status quo that makes people embrace extroversion as some kind of ideal.
Anyway, I don't have any articles to link to, but I read two really great books recently that some of you guys might be interested in - 'Introverts in the Church' by Adam McHugh (written by an introvert about how the church is geared towards extroverts, to its own detriment) and 'Quiet - the power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking' by Susan Cain.
Sorry for my verbosity! :/

I love that title 'in a world that cant stop talking' looks like a good book Im glad you really enjoyed the books too.

 

[star in the sky]

I feel blessed to have made this thread great to hear from everyone - different people other than myself hah lol can be onesided if you only want to hear your beliefs and opinions and not others. - OOO thats sounds like it could be made intoa oneliner 'onesided' lol - love oneliner jokes! So cheesy I love it! Bring on the chessyness LOL

 

[star in the sky]

I actually feel lifted from beckapoo's comments was feeling a bit depressed this week but it wasnt anyone that I know - it wasnt anyones fault Its my responsibily - I took things too sensitively. Anywho Im doing better. Sa - weet!

 

[Miss Spaulding]

I'm an extreme introvert. I'm not sure how I never noticed this thread before. Lol. Well, subscribing.

I think that is the most frustrating part about one's introversion (not that I resent being an introvert - I DON'T) is that there is indeed this idea of how everyone and their brother should be personality and charisma wise, and that's extroversion...and the more extreme the better. It doesn't help that we introverts are so in the minority, too.

The thing is, most (not all of course) extroverts don't stop and think about 'why' I am the way I am. They don't take into consideration that scientifically an introvert's brain does not function the same way as an extrovert's. No, they just look you up and down and instantly sum you up with a "Oh, you're shy. Well, you should come out of your shell!" ...NO. I am not shy, and I certainly don't need to come out of my shell. This is ME. If you don't like it, then you can lump it. But don't suggest how I should change to fit your idea of what a good and exceptional personality is.

I am finally at a point in my life that I have become comfortable in my own skin. I can now exhale. Is my social anxiety gone? No. And it never will be. But it is much better. ...For all of my childhood and teenage years I was so utterly confused about myself. It's actually kind of painful to look back on those years. I always felt like I was so weird, so odd, so...not normal. I had no idea why I was so different than everyone else, why I couldn't verbally communicate so fluidly like the next person, why I didn't even feel the 'need' to speak up, why I always felt fatigued after any sort of gathering, ect...ect. Can you now envision the inner torment that I endured every single waking moment of my life? ...These same feelings still exist and spring up some, but it's nothing like it was back then. I'm now entering my mid-twenties and matured. I don't care so much anymore what people think of me...I've let it go, and by doing so I've thrown away a whole lot of unnecessary stress I had been harboring.

*I have a book called The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extrovert World. It's fantastic, and I personally found it to be extremely helpful.

 

[star in the sky]

@ Miss spaulding I like what you said about people telling you ' you should come out of your shell' I was told that too now I it was wrong for me to accept that I should become an extrovert with remarks like you and I were told. I think what it boils down to extroverts- not all- donot believe its possiblefor there to be a thing 'introversion' they use the sae old lie, myth that you and I are a suppressed extrovert from a broken past that we need to come out of our shell because were suppressing our true extroverted person but an introvert is handmade by God to be an introvert just like u dont call cat a fish. I know how you feel being somewhat isolated in my classes in highschool because it seemed like the whole class were chatty while I was the odd quiet one and was asked 'whats wrong with you?' . Its hurtful to look back like you. I felt real uncomfortable always tense in those classes. Im encouraged by you miss Spaulding to move on when others choose not to accept me for who I am.

 

[star in the sky]

Welcome to the mid twenties! Im the same age

 

[Peripatetic]

Perhaps the only thing worse than the "come out of your shell" comment is when they follow it up with a claim that they too are introverts. As if to say, "See, I'm an introvert and I overcame it." Despite the higher population of extroverts, most people don't want to claim it for some reason.

When you try to explain that it has more to do with whether interaction expands or depletes energy, they'll say how tired they always are. Sometimes I want to say, "You're tired because you get 5 hours of sleep and live on caffeine and fast food. It has nothing to with your personality type, which happens to be draining MY energy at a rapid pace right now."

 

[Tigger45]

Perhaps the only thing worse than the "come out of your shell" comment is when they follow it up with a claim that they too are introverts. As if to say, "See, I'm an introvert and I overcame it." Despite the higher population of extroverts, most people don't want to claim it for some reason.

When you try to explain that it has more to do with whether interaction expands or depletes energy, they'll say how tired they always are. Sometimes I want to say, "You're tired because you get 5 hours of sleep and live on caffeine and fast food. It has nothing to with your personality type, which happens to be draining MY energy at a rapid pace right now."

So true brotha so true

 

[star in the sky]

Hey guys thanks for the comments got a great link about cheap ways/things to do by yourself- 50 of them yeah baby! Im having a introvert weekend my folks are going away this weekend and friends arent responding to texts so Im gonna hang with me! - personally I like my plans such as buying a snorkel set for the upcoming new boat/boat trips and non alcoholic wines, busing into the city but I may do some of these suggestions. Are you having a weekend by yourself or hanging with a few friends? Would be keen to hear especially for introverts what you do when you spend time alone for leisure - sake?Got a weekend alone coming up? How are you gonna make it a good experience? In regards to the link : *I dont promote everything in the link or agree with** I am also not promoting isolation or loneliness** Lonliness is apart of human life but I wouldnt advise that you go seeking for it .

 

[star in the sky]

The Frugal Introvert: Fifty Ways to Have Fun By Yourself on the Cheap - The Simple Dollar

Its written by an Introvert too.

 

[star in the sky]

Hey if I get real keen this weekend I may even show you guys whats in my emergency bug out bag- its basic . Anyone keen (too see)? Would stick on this thread. Ill probably do a silent video with captions yeh sorry just put too much videos of myself on youtube want to retain a bit of privacy now. *Not 40,000 videos just a couple and some I did put up in C.F

 

[star in the sky]

I feel blessed to have made this thread great to hear from everyone - different people other than myself hah lol can be onesided if you only want to hear your beliefs and opinions and not others. - OOO thats sounds like it could be made intoa oneliner 'onesided' lol - love oneliner jokes! So cheesy I love it! Bring on the chessyness LOL

I dont get it? what was funny?

 

[star in the sky]

So true brotha so true

I agree .

 

[star in the sky]

Perhaps the only thing worse than the "come out of your shell" comment is when they follow it up with a claim that they too are introverts. As if to say, "See, I'm an introvert and I overcame it." Despite the higher population of extroverts, most people don't want to claim it for some reason.

When you try to explain that it has more to do with whether interaction expands or depletes energy, they'll say how tired they always are. Sometimes I want to say, "You're tired because you get 5 hours of sleep and live on caffeine and fast food. It has nothing to with your personality type, which happens to be draining MY energy at a rapid pace right now."

thats the whole point.of this thead is bring introverts to the awareness that are an introvert so go back to bed and ease up on the coffee you'll thank your self for it. Actually interestingly enough the two dominant/main types of introverts both like rest or sleep my mum is always resting whereas Im more usually busier with my day but the difference is one is rest orientated while the other loves their sleep. whats the difference? Simply this in reference to me ' you dont jack with my sleep! My type loves good qualit nights sleep it really brings out the crabby paddy in melancholys infact even when a natural disaster was occuring in the town we lived in I was known to sleep '!believe it or not. Were -type of introvert i am- is like proctective about their sleep! theyll wrestle you to the ground for it! Melancholys you know who you are you cant sleep and eat all day . Im aware of the love sleep and love food thing plus study because I use to joke my dream life would be to live in some distant remote cottage up somewhee in the hills where Id have to have one neighbour so I didnt get lonely Id have all the food I want sleep all day and read all day- If I didnt have God in my life and wasnt aware of my flaws the need for need for fellowship , community and accountability Id isolate myself it would be a very one neighbour a cottage in the hills world! Doesnt mean tho I done get to do the stuff I like tho!

 

[star in the sky]

Ill fix the typos later

 

[star in the sky]

feel free to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of being an introvert. you can actually name them - no way! You know like I mentioned about the rest and sleep thing and no dont be afraid in the premise of mutuality and respect to mention the if your an extrovert the weaknesses like of your introvert spouse or friend , were not gonna bash you for it! After all this is for sharing stories and comments .

 

[star in the sky]

Dont know any strengths or weaknesses? theres books mentioned on this thread thatll tell you about whether thats in relation to how the church views introverts or a general topic on what extroversion and introversion is. Talking about our strengths are cool you dont have to hone in on the weaknesses CF isnt a place to grippe.

 

[JacquelineDeane55]

YO ! to all the introverts out there (Yes I am one)! Of course anyone is welcome here whether you are introverted or extroverted This thread will focus on introversion / introvert awareness, please add your 2 cents as Im certainly not an expert. Its for awareness plus sharing your own thoughts, comments , hurts, personal stories and encouragement and support.

I tested Introverted on nearly all the personality tests I took. o.o

 

[star in the sky]

Guess you are if so welcome

 

[star in the sky]

Those colourful jokes -EXTROVERTS yeh funny but not racking my brain like I was at 11pm feeling sick /nauseous and tired trying to pull apart like lego their well crafted well meant jokes im too tired! like I dont want to have to rack my brain at 11pm at night to laugh at your jokes! lol funny but true . other than that brilliant friends -extroverts but sheskabob you put together some good jokes .

How to say 'be quiet' when an extrovert is overly talkative and loud kindly:
"Quieten thy mouth!"