Last month I stumbled upon an interesting article at The Huffington Post written by Carolyn Gregoire called “23 Signs You’re Secretly An Introvert”. I found this list very intriguing and enlightening because I have always known since I was a little girl that I was shy, odd even; and eventually I learned that I was an introvert.
But when I saw this list, it really became obvious to me that there is nothing wrong with being introverted especially when there are plenty of people all over the world who are just like me; and that’s not a bad thing!
Let’s take a look at the list:
1. You find small talk incredibly cumbersome.
When I was little, I found it difficult to talk to people – especially those my own age – as I never really knew what to talk about. As I got older – and once I was comfortable with people – I tended to be a chatterbox; but unless I was REALLY comfortable with people, I still didn’t know what to say. Needless to say, it feels great to know that I am not alone in this thought.
2. You go to parties -– but not to meet people.
This one just doesn’t make any sense to me, as I don’t like parties no matter what. I find them loud, annoying and just a big time-waster even if there would be people at the party for whom are my friends. It still would be torture to be at a party.
3. You often feel alone in a crowd.
I have felt this way my entire life, finding crowds disconcerting and even sometimes scary. My years attending Comic Con have helped me curb that fear to an extent, but the further I stay away from crowds the better I am.
4. Networking makes you feel like a phony.
Much like being in a crowd, having to network – even if for a good cause – almost makes me break out in a rash. I would rather do almost anything else; unless it’s within a small group of people who I have known for years. And, just how much networking can you do with people you already know really well, right?
5. You’ve been called “too intense.”
I’ve had that label slapped on me my whole life by family, friends and co-workers. Enough said.
6. You’re easily distracted.
I don’t get bored per se – which is what this article states happens for extroverts – but I can get easily distracted, or to be more precise, overwhelmed in certain situations. I know I’ve found this is the case at Comic Con because there is SO much going on that the annual event that it’s hard to concentrate on just one thing at a time.
7. Downtime doesn’t feel unproductive to you.
The article states that “introverts need time alone to recharge their batteries” and that SO incredibly true for me. After any of the conventions that I attend, I need at least one or two full days to just relax and veg out at home. So this really applies 100% to me.
8. Giving a talk in front of 500 people is less stressful than having to mingle with those people afterwards.
This does not sound fun to me no matter what!!
9. When you get on the subway, you sit at the end of the bench -– not in the middle.
There is no way I willingly use public transportation unless I absolutely have to.
10. You start to shut down after you’ve been active for too long.
This one really applies to me, as I get very tired even after spending half a day at the mall. This piece states that “what introverts do in the outside world causes them to expend energy, after which they’ll need to go back and replenish their stores in a quiet environment”. I SO need my “zone out” time away from everything.
11. You’re in a relationship with an extrovert.
Nope!! Not at all. There is no relationship in my life; just not going down that route ever again!!
12. You’d rather be an expert at one thing than try to do everything.
This piece states that “the dominant brain pathways used by introverts is one that allows you to focus and think about things for a while, so they’re geared toward intense study and developing expertise. I have SO done that in my personal life; namely, my intense focus on the entertainment industry and in my professional life; namely, making sure that I have become a master at my day job too.
13. You actively avoid any shows that might involve audience participation.
I guess this could be true about me, but since I only watch dramas, made-for-TV movies or mini-series, there really isn’t a need for audience participation, right?! And, while I’m watching any of these programming options, I’m multi-tasking by getting chores done around my house, but most of all writing.
14. You screen all your calls — even from friends.
I absolutely HATE talking on the phone! ‘Nuff said, right?!
15. You notice details that others don’t.
Yep, this so applies to me. I’m always paying attention to things around me and I am a very visual kind of person.
16. You have a constantly running inner monologue.
I have had this issue my whole live and for most of that time, I thought it was just me. But, the article clearly states that “most introverts need to think first and talk later”.
17. You have low blood pressure.
I don’t think I have low blood pressure; but I’ll believe this report when it states that “introverts tend to have lower blood pressure than their extroverted counterparts”.
18. You’ve been called an “old soul” -– since your 20s.
According to this piece, “introverts tend to think hard and be analytical; that can make them seem wise”. Well, I have never been called wise, but I’ve been an “old soul” since I was in my teens; but I always believed that was due to the fact I was a late-in-life baby for my parents, growing up around adults more than people my age.
19. You don’t feel “high” from your surroundings
Nope, not me – moving on…
20. You look at the big picture.
In other words introverts excel in detail-oriented tasks and that is a precise description of myself.
21. You’ve been told to “come out of your shell.”
The article had this to say: “Many introverted children come to believe that there’s something “wrong” with them if they’re naturally less outspoken and assertive than their peers. Introverted adults often say that as children, they were told to come out of their shells or participate more in class”. This is me to a tee; but after all these years I don’t really see that happening any time soon.
22. You’re a writer.
Ding, ding, ding! This is the top thing on this list that applies to me totally and unequivocally. I have always been better communicating in writing than in person. That hasn’t changed since I was little, my writing has only taken on a life of its own; and quite frankly, I am so thankful for that!
23. You alternate between phases of work and solitude, and periods of social activity.
Once again, this article states that “introverts can move around their “set point” which determines how they need to balance solitude with social activity. But when they move too much…they get stressed and need to come back to themselves”. This is a big part of my life as I will have weeks – or more to the point weekends (since the day job keeps my workweeks full) where I don’t go anywhere, allowing me to relax at home. And then I have various TV events at specific times of the year that give me all the social activity I need or want.
If you would like to check out the full Huffington Post piece, you can read it here.
And, if you are an introvert like me, do any of the above 23 signs apply to you at all? If so, please share below.
Read Full Post »
Rueben's Ramblings 