Introvert or extrovert?

[Josie]

Or a bit of both?

I grew up very shy. I guess I questioned everything right from the start, it's in my nature lol. Not such a bad thing in retrospect. But I was always made to feel bad for being shy. Not that I was scolded for it or anything, but the 50s frame of mind that was passed down to me was that there is something wrong with you if you're shy.. let alone an introvert, which is different. Later on.. I found introverts to be treated like freaks. So those of us who would rather stay home and do whatever on their own, would spend a lot of time doing things they didn't feel like doing just so they wouldn't be outed as an introvert (though introvert isn't the name they'd go for). I enjoyed my life very much.. but most days, I just wanted to be at home, curled up with a good book or writing my heart out. I didn't dare if I wanted to be "normal" though lol.

Thankfully those days are almost gone. People still have a skewed opinion of introversion.. even many introverts! But in these years of fighting for rights and celebrating differences, the introverts are slowly being recognized too. I mean, they always were.. but not in the most appealing way. Now there's even books supporting the introvert and the discussion is growing. Introverts offer as much to the world as everyone else.. who cares if they're more comfortable spending time with themselves than with other people. I mean.. have you MET the other people??? lol.

So.. I lean more on introversion. I have a close knit circle and my family and I am fulfilled. Isn't that the point? Are we supposed to pretend to be fulfilled by things that don't interest us so we look "normal"? Who is anyone to say I'm not right for enjoying life in different ways than another group of people? Besides.. I'm thinking that other group of people is actually greatly outnumbered.

What about you?? And if you're not an introvert.. what are your thoughts on it?

 

[DaBlink182]

I think a lot of people mistake introversion and shyness. Sure, many introverts are shy, but it doesn't have anything to do with it. I'm not shy at all. I love going out with my friends or meeting new people, but there's always this thought in the back of my head that goes like: "Man, I'm having a really good time, but I'd love to be home and be alone right now". Oh well, I think it's going to take a while for people to fully accept introverts, but if you're having a tough time dealing with it, just try to embrace it. Try to embrace the feeling of enjoyment when being alone, not everyone gets it, but you don't have to explain yourself if you don't feel like it.

 

[Josie]

I think a lot of people mistake introversion and shyness. Sure, many introverts are shy, but it doesn't have anything to do with it. I'm not shy at all. I love going out with my friends or meeting new people, but there's always this thought in the back of my head that goes like: "Man, I'm having a really good time, but I'd love to be home and be alone right now". Oh well, I think it's going to take a while for people to fully accept introverts, but if you're having a tough time dealing with it, just try to embrace it. Try to embrace the feeling of enjoyment when being alone, not everyone gets it, but you don't have to explain yourself if you don't feel like it.

Yes, shyness and introversion are different. I opened with that because I wonder if my shyness was just a sign of the person I was to become. I loved people and socializing.. just opened up more slowly when I was being pushed to open up right away.
And I agree.. nobody should have to explain it to anyone. Thankfully it's easier to be an introvert these days

 

[Xenoyia]

I am an introvert, I prefer to be alone than work in a team. Always have.

 

[rebel]

I'm totally an extrovert. It's always best to let it all out rather than keeping it inside.

 

[Aries]

I'm more of an extrovert.

 

[griz bear]

I'm all extrovert

 

[Manny030]

I'd say it depends on the situation.

 

[KC Evans]

I have recently learned the difference between the two. My behavior is considered as an introverts behavior. I prefer to be alone most of the time.

 

[butterflylover]

I have recently learned the difference between the two. My behavior is considered as an introverts behavior. I prefer to be alone most of the time.

Me too,and there's nothing wrong with that.

 

[caparica007]

I prefer being alone too, I'm not a social creature unless it's doing something I enjoy and this usually doesn't include night activities.

 

[Denis Hard]

Some of these personality traits are never set in stone. It depends on the situation you find yourself in. If for example you have no common interests with the people you live around and therefore have no reason to communicate with them,you'd be labeled an introvert even if you're not. On the other hand, if you are an introvert hosting guests at your house, you'll have to be the life and soul of the party whether you like it or not. For me, therefore, depending on the circumstances I can either be classified as an introvert or extrovert.

 

[Josie]

I'm totally an extrovert. It's always best to let it all out rather than keeping it inside.

Oh believe me, holding it inside is not what makes an introvert lol. Everyone that knows me knows what I'm feeling at any given moment lol..

 

[Josie]

Some of these personality traits are never set in stone. It depends on the situation you find yourself in. If for example you have no common interests with the people you live around and therefore have no reason to communicate with them,you'd be labeled an introvert even if you're not. On the other hand, if you are an introvert hosting guests at your house, you'll have to be the life and soul of the party whether you like it or not. For me, therefore, depending on the circumstances I can either be classified as an introvert or extrovert.

Being social and being an extrovert are two different things in my opinion. I could be the life of the party every day of the week.. I just prefer to be at home more times than not I suppose and that would normally be my choice. I can be social.. I love being social (when it's MY choice), but I prefer my own company or that of my family and circle of friends). I'm also much more comfortable and functional on my own than with a group.

 

[Susime]

I'm an introvert. I prefer to do things on my own and be on my own. I prefer my own company.

 

[darkcgi]

I'm both evenly.
I love to vampire but I love the woods and beach and swimming.
Being bipolar helps to be an all around person. My mood swings are long so I get to enjoy my mood for a while may it be a good mood.

 

[Sherief]

Wow, great post Josie.

I think it's almost impossible for me to label myself as either one or the other. I love my alone time, I think it very necessary for me to escape into my own world, in order to reflect and recharge. I also love socializing, meeting new people, having discussions and debates, discovering new cultures, new places. I guess for me it's a matter of recharging, finding my sanctuary after being out in the open for a while. I could go weeks, maybe even months without alone time, but I will get to a point where I need a week or so to recharge and be alone. I know for sure that if I don't retreat to my sanctuary when necessary, I could get very irritable and unpleasant to be around lol

I would say I'm 50/50.

 

[Trellum]

I'm an introvert mostly, but as you might or you might not know... we're all a mix of both introvert and extroverts. However, I know I'm more of an introvert because I actually feel super drained after a social gathering, and I know all the opposite happens to those who are extroverts I can act like an extrovert in some situations, and pretend I'm super confident even if I feel shattered inside (after being struggling with a disease for almost 3 years who doesn't feel that way, right?), so a lot people might have a very different idea of me. They often assume I don't talk much because I've such a high perception of myself, lol. They're so wrong...

I see my own example, and that's when I understand you shouldn't judge a book by its cover; you don't know how much pain that person is dealing way on a day to day basis or why things are the way they are in the life of this person. I guess this disease has made me a far better person than before, too bad this whole situation is destroying my life in general, but I'm trying to be very positive about it and do my best everyday It's that or being bitter about it... too much bitterness in this world already, so no thanks!

 

[Kyama3]

I grew up an introvert, however the introversion was supressed somewhat. I feel my real self was actually more extrovert, but because of various experiences I became very introverted growing up, and it was sort of a defense mechanism. The big issue with that, is that it easily leads to depression and negative trapped energy. I am through with most of it all now, however I think unwilling introversion is a problem that is not usually recognised by others and that's a problem because it can affect people in many ways. Overall I think I do naturally have an introverted personality to some degree, I just have far more extrovert potential than I give myself credit for growing up. I would say I'm 70/30 Introvert/Extrovert.

 

[Miaka2]

I guess I'm a bit of both as well. I used to be very introverted to a point where I would hide whenever someone came over even if they were my family. Now I run around to meet up with people. When I first meet someone, I tend to be a little shy but then after a while when I get to know them more I open up to him or her and I can be myself. Sometimes I have those days where I want to be alone and then sometimes I have those days where I would like to go hang out with someone, so it can also depend on my mood.