Introvert Pride

Introverts very often tend toward the negative -- whether in our career, our relationships, or our general outlook on life. It's a habit of which many of us are conscious, but find awfully difficult to kick, much like smoking and overeating.   Whether it's because we aren't invited to a gathering (even though part of us might be glad we're staying home instead), we receive a poor review at work for being too quiet, or an acquaintance dismisses us as snobby out of sheer ignorance, such incidents can see our self-esteem take a beating.  When you view yourself negatively, your actions may be unconsciously affected by that internal negativity, which may prevent you from attaining the happy experiences you desire. If you feel you're unworthy of a good, well-paying job or enriching relationship, you cease engaging in behaviors that would help you corral those things. You may in fact sabotage yourself by gravitating toward positions or partners who aren't good for you.

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 to be min

Introverts are, by their very nature, highly pensive. This, as introverts know all too well, can be a double-edged sword. Living in our thoughts can be a great thing if all is going great in our lives, but if we find ourselves harping on unfavorable past or future events, it can do a number on our psyche.  In this post, I'd like to focus on one particular way introverts can wield their introspective nature for the betterment of their and others' lives. Truthfully, this tip can apply to and bear fruit for just about anyone -- not just introverts. But since introverts have such active minds, they should have an easier time getting "in the zone" than those who don't exactly call themselves deep thinkers.  Gratitude had been proven to boost happiness in those who practice it regularly. Those who take a few minutes out of their busy day to notice and reflect on the things and people they're thankful for experience more positive emotions. In fact, studies show that