Introvert Pride

When I ask people to describe an introvert, they respond with adjectives like: Shy Antisocial Quiet  Timid While it's possible for some introverts to embody the above characteristics, it doesn't describe all of us. I'm fact, introversion has little -- if anything -- to do with a person's personality. It's more about how they're wired. Introverts draw energy from within. We're essentially powered by: Solitude Solitary pursuits Being left alone with our thoughts  That being said, we don't necessarily leave parties early or skip them altogether because we loathe people.  We do it because, after a tiring day or week, it's the only way we can recharge our batteries.  Actors/actresses like Steve Martin and Meryl Streep are confirmed introverts. Given their profession, do you think they detest interacting with people? If that were true, I'm sure they'd have quit long ago. Large crowds and noisy environments are especially draining for us -- thus the...

Life isn't easy. And if you're an introvert, it can feel especially daunting in a world that seems tailor-made for gregarious, attention-seeking individuals.  Aside from competing personal and professional demands, introverts have to contend with:  Energy levels being depleted by difficult people and situations  Constantly being questioned on our quiet, unassuming demeanor Having to be quick and on our feet when our natural dependency is to go at a slower, more measured pace  Being passed over for promotions and other opportunities because of our reluctance to promote our accomplishments  And yet, for all these challenges, being an introvert brings an array of gifts and opportunities: The capacity to listen to and understand people on a deeper level than most others  The ability to delve deeply into subjects and interests about which we're passionate  The ability to focus intently on something for long stretches of time without getting distracted ...

If you're an introvert , there is a good chance you've been perusing the posts on this blog for quite a while.  Maybe you're looking to validate whether you are truly an introvert, or you've already checked that off your list and are now seeking tips for breaking the news to the world. I sincerely hope, however, that you're not so much as entertaining the idea of ridding yourself of your introversion .  It's no secret that the world seems to favor extroverts, especially here in the United States. From job listings that stress "teamwork skills" to open workspaces (whether they make a furious return after the pandemic is anyone's guess), people tend to be less suspicious of gregarious, outspoken types.  Yet, you'd be surprised at just how many people want to come out of the introvert closet. Their reasons for not doing so are the subject of this post. Introverts have been stigmatized as lonely, self-absorbed, or disinterested, so it's no won...

You may recall the Me Too protests that have swept across the globe over the last few years, with hundreds (if not thousands) marching in support of victims of sexual assault and harassment.  What I often wonder is if introverts the world over will one day organize similar protests to bring awareness to their being marginalized in  society.  Surely, it's not in our nature to draw attention to ourselves in this fashion. Large crowds? Fiery speeches? Exposure on TV and social media? Sounds like an entrovert's dream.  But when it concerns a cause about which introverts are avidly passionate, we do have what it takes to come out of our shells and demand to be heard.  Introverts can, in some ways, sympathize with those the Me Too movement is attempting to give a voice to.  In fact, abuse comes in many forms, and many introverts have been subjected to harsh criticism -- if not flat-out bullying -- just for keeping to themselves and showing reluctance to participa...

Many people know of introversion , but they don't have the foggiest idea who came up with the word. Don't feel bad; I didn't know myself until recently. Want to take a stab at it? Here's a hint: It was not Sigmund Freud, though that would make a logical guess. Introversion , the tendency to become preoccupied with one's own thoughts and feelings rather than external stimuli, was popularized by none other than Carl Jung, the Swiss psychoanalyst and psychiatrist who also coined the terms collective unconscious and analytical psychology. Unlike extroverts, who become energized while in the presence of large numbers of people, introverts are inward-oriented. They gain energy from reflection and lose energy in noisy social gatherings.  This in no way implies introverts are misanthropic loners, a common misconception. Misanthropes are those who, put simply, would rather stick a fork in their eye than have to deal with people. They loathe humankind with every fiber in thei...