Day 11: Introversion

I make it no secret that I identify as an introvert. This hasn’t always been the case, but it has somewhat to do with what I thought an introvert is. I used to think that an introvert is someone shy, incredibly awkward and unable to talk to people. So I might have the awkward thing down, but I am not shy, and I love talking to people. Most all of the jobs that I’ve ever had has been a customer service-oriented job, and I love helping people! So with that definition and the kind of person I am, it’s no wonder that I didn’t realize that I am an introvert.

So what is an introvert? The best description that I have seen of it is through a comic drawn by artist SVeidt on DeviantArt. (Click on the comic to be taken to the original drawing where you can zoom to see it better.)

The part that I identify with the most is that I am re-energized by spending time alone, and it drains me to be around people for long periods of time. It doesn’t mean that I don’t like spending time with people, though I do prefer spending time with only one or a few people at a time. I usually spend my alone time reading, watching tv or surfing the internet. When I am out of the house and on-the-go too much, I long to be at home to re-gain my energy. When I don’t have sufficient time to get that energy back, I tend to withdraw and become cranky.

I still love to spend time with my friends, and in the past year my husband and I have started hanging out with other introvert friends. It started with a couple of dinner plans and was nicknamed The Introvert Supper Club. Now the group gets together, usually at our house, once every month or two for birthdays, food and game nights. A few of us are taking a water aerobics class together, too. The cool thing about it is that we all understand the need for alone time and don’t usually hound anyone who can’t make it because there’s too much already going on.

Out of my immediate family, my mom is the only one of us who is extroverted. She loves being out and about with things to do, people to see and places to go. My Dad and brother are both introverts, too, and prefer to stay at home most of the time. I totally didn’t see this growing up but can definitely pinpoint times where it was pure torture for her to drag us out of the house sometimes. Unfortunately she still doesn’t get it and tends to think she’s introverted, only because she has a messed up idea of what it is. I have hope one day that she’ll understand that it’s not usually the event or her or something more than just needing some alone time that keeps us from wanting to get out.

I wrote briefly about Being Inside My Introvert Bubble a couple of weeks ago. It’s also got some good pointers on How To Care For Introverts.

Do you identify more with introversion or extroversion? Is there someone in your life who identifies with the other? How do you deal with the difference? 

“Introverts treasure the close relationships they have stretched so much to make.” ― Adam S. McHugh

Read more about the 31 Days of Journaling Prompts
Today’s recommended 31 Day Blogger: 31 Days of Great Nonfiction Reads @ The Deliberate Reader