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31 Days of Journaling Prompts: Introversion

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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

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Inside My Introvert Bubble

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Today I am stepping out of my introvert bubble and finally going on one of the Little Black Dress Club outings. For more than a year, I’ve been thinking about joining our local chapter of the Little Black Dress Club but their events were always on days that I had other plans…or I found a reason not go, not because I didn’t want to go but because I let my fears get the best of me. This time I was able to talk my extroverted co-worker into going with me so that I will know at least one person. I know it will be good for me to get out and socialize, and I almost always have a good time when I step out of my comfort zone. Without a doubt it will be exhausting on me, but I have no other plans tomorrow so I will have time to go back into my introvert bubble to re-energize.


This is my reminder that I always have a good time when I get out with other people. It’s just that the time before it actually happens is filled with anxiety, doubt, fear and worry. I won’t let it get to me today!



			

	
	



			
				


	

					
				
Clarity
						

							
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Wow! The topic of Expectation is just what I needed to write about this morning, despite being a few days late in participating. I had been feeling slightly guilty for not posting more regularly here, but now I realize that it was the high expectations I place on myself that was churning up the guilt monster. One thing I can say for sure is that I blog for my own pleasure…to get the words out of my head. I know most bloggers blog so that someone will read their words or pleasing their sponsors or get more followers….and that’s cool! That’s what they hope to achieve from their blog. For me, it’s for the clarity of my mind. I love receiving comments and knowing people are reading my thoughts, but I don’t feel like a failure if I don’t.


I’m still battling headaches. I saw my doctor last week, and she thinks it’s from my severe TMJ. So as of Wednesday, I am taking muscle relaxers at bed time and haven’t had a single OTC pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or naproxen. I’m still having headaches, but I’m hoping that it’s from the rebound headaches that come when you have taken NSAIDs on a regular basis….for years. My doctor said that it could take a month for them to get out of my system, so I’m just trying to take it easy lately when I have headaches instead of turning to the pill bottle.


The GoodReads daily quote this morning also spoke to me and my questioning of faith.


“It’s really a wonder that I haven’t dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.” — Anne Frank


That is an amazing combination of words (which is all quotes REALLY are) that mean so much to me lately and from an amazingly strong young woman! I hope to keep that in mind today and the next time my faith, morals or beliefs are questioned by someone else or even myself.


Have a good day, my friends! It’s so much better than the alternative!

			

	
	



			
				


	

					
				
The words inside my head
						

							
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I have many words in my head that I want to get out in this blog, but the headaches have gotten worse. Last night it was so bad that I actually considered going to the ER (something I’ve never considered for a headache) but ultimately I knew that going to the ER in the middle of the night would probably be a bad idea. Two of my fellow headache suffering friends also agreed since the lights, noises and waiting would just make it worse. I medicated with two Tylenol PM and finally drifted off to sleep. I made an appointment with my doctor for tomorrow to see if she can help. The over the counter stuff just isn’t working anymore.


But this isn’t a headache blog. It’s a faith blog. I have faith that everything is going to be okay, and I will feel good again soon!


I’m one of those people who are always inside my own head. I have a feeling that most writers and bloggers are. Often when I haven’t blogged or journaled (or whatever you want to call it), the words just seem to jumble in my head, and I need to release them.


That was one thing that I liked about the TV Show, Scrubs, or even Doogie Howser back in the day. I enjoy the main character narrating the story because that’s sometimes how I see my life…like I’m the narrator to everything that happens everyday in my life. If I could just move those thoughts into written words automatically, I would find relief, of course only if I could edit them before others read them. I don’t think we truly want to know everything that someone else is thinking. TV Shows have also proven that with people who are mind readers.


Because TV Shows are always right…right? Actually, in this case I’m pretty sure they are. I don’t want people to be completely honest with me and share all of their thoughts.


Where was I even going with all of this? I really don’t remember. I’m just going to work on my other writing exercises now. Don’t mind me 🙂