If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
The biggest problem most introverts have is not their personality, their lack of friends, their non-existent social life, or their seemingly solo existence. The biggest problem most introverts have is that extroverts want to change them.
Like missionaries looking to recruit new disciples, extroverts seek out introverts to convert. They proclaim the advantages of their way of life – friends, activities, a busy life – and hope to entice introverts to join their team. To an introvert, this is not a good sales pitch!
As an introvert, if you remember only one thing, that is to be yourself. Being an introvert is not an illness, not a disorder, not an inferior way of living. Being an introvert is the way you live your life, and some would argue that it is in fact hard-wired into your brain. Psychologists now believe that differences between introverts and extroverts can be identified in brain function even before birth. By measuring the arousal of a fetus, it is believed the future personality traits of a child can be discovered.
In the early and mid-20th century, many doctors believed introverts were malfunctioning humans, incapable of social interaction, and subjects to be treated. They believed introverts developed because of dysfunctional homes or early trauma in their lives. This is no longer the case, and it is now the extroverts who are being treated for being something other than normal – ADD, ADHD, hyperactivity, for example.
So, enjoy who you are and what makes you special. Your introverted personality brings with it creativity, focus, depth of thought, and time to learn and create and be who you really are. Embrace your introvert personality!
Photo Credit: Open Threads
2 Comments
Great advice Nick, and that very basic idea is what sets us free. We have to relax and be ourselves. I have spent the last week feeling that “fried” feeling of too much traffic, too much togetherness, too much talking… but I had to remember that I am a normal, healthy, happy introvert and I NEED my alone time. I’m really looking forward to seeing future posts on this blog because I know you’re an introvert who already has a great understanding of who you are and how to thrive.
Christie´s last blog ..Introverts and neighbors
I certainly understand the “fried” feeling. There can be a bit of a love/hate thing for us introverts.
I just got home from visiting my family last night and today has been my recharge day.
One Trackback
[...] put them on your team, you are wrong. There is nothing more disrespectful than a blatant attempt to change one’s personality. By attempting to change an introvert into an extrovert, you are alienating a potential friend. You [...]