Introvert Pride

At its core, being a minimalist means intentionally promoting the things we most value and removing those that distract us from them. Minimalists firmly believe that less is more. Fewer material possessions make for a simpler -- and thus happier -- life in our view. This runs contrary to most people's imperative to buy the most and biggest of everything.  Now, that isn't to say we don't believe in treating ourselves every now and then to a fun-filled vacation, hearty meal at a luxurious restaurant, or stylish pair of shoes.  But for the most part, minimalists equate more material possessions with more maintenance, more stuff to clean, more complexity.  It's for this reason I opted for a condo rather than a house. Because our HOA handles all outside maintenance, it leaves me with more time for my reading and writing. Plus, a small space means far less upkeep to worry about.  So where do introverts come in? Glad you asked.  Not surprisingly, many introverts tend t...

If you ask any introvert, there's a good chance he or she has an insatiable appetite for knowledge.  In fact, introverts tend to: 1. Have at least one bookshelf at home. Depending on the person's tastes, the genres may be wide-ranging or highly specialized. In my case, I'm passionate about two subjects in particular (history and psychology), but I know many an introvert who swears by fiction only. Indeed, when it comes to reading, introverts are ravenous bibliophiles. 2. Devour documentaries and all other manner of educational content.  Whether it's a documentary on the Civil War or a biographical film on George Washington and the founding of the United States, we're always game for intellectually stimulating content. While some of my friends sing the praises of shows like Game of Thrones, you'll catch me waxing lyrical about the latest Ken Burns documentary series on PBS. (Sidenote: It examined the life of writer Ernest Hemingway.) 3. Feel at home at libraries,...