Have you ever felt alone in a crowd? Have you longed to have some quiet time to‘just think.’ Do people who talk non-stop cause your ears to ring and your head to spin?
If you can relate to these, then maybe you’re an Introvert, like me.
I didn’t always know I was an Introvert. I used to just think I was shy and confused, and yes, even dumb.
But when I discovered the world of Myers-Briggs, and what it REALLY meant to be Introverted, I felt as though a weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I could really begin to enjoy being me.
I have to confess, that I’m an Extravert-wanna-be. Well, sometimes I am,anyway. Not always. Certainly not when it comes to buckling down and getting work done. Especially that cerebral-type work that requires concentration, deep concentration. But the times when I’m in a room full of what seem like very interesting people. I’m awkward at starting conversations. If you don’t hit on my major topics of interest, then I don’t seem to have anything to say. But, if you’re interested in what I’m interested in, then look out. I’ve been known to talk off an ear or two.
I also have to confess that the Extraverted world really tires me out. As a self-proclaimed teacher, my work demands that I be around people all the time. I love my work. I love my clients. I love my career. But alas, it tires me out. After a day full of ‘teaching’, I’m a real basket case when I get home. I don’t want to cook. I don’t want to clean. And I certainly don’t want to go out to another event full of people.
Those are the things that I don’t want to do. But when I remind myself that I’m not anti-social, I begin to appreciate and even relish in my Introverted-ness. I find Introverted ways to rekindle my energy, and give myself a chance to recharge my batteries. If I allow myself the time and space to do those things, then I’m good to go. It’s when I fight my Introverted tendencies, and refuse to shore up alone somewhere, then my batteries become so exhausted that I’m not much good until the next day.
So, as much as I confess to being an Introvert, I also have to confess that I kinda like it. It suits me. I can have a major party inside my own head and be super-energized to take on any task.
How about you? Are you an Introvert too?
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