What IS an introvert?

I know, it seems like everyone and their dog (at least, in the websy places I tend to frequent) have been talking about Introverts vs. Extroverts lately. And I've had a run-in of my own on this topic (a real life conversation?! Yes, I have those from time to time) and it really bothered me. So, obviously, I gotta blog about it. Let me preface by saying that I'm not trying to put down any extroverts or anything, I'm just going off of my own experiences and my own quirksies. Mmkay?

Also, sorry I've been AWOL for the past month. I was all kinds of busy with Phlebotomy and Guppy and life in general. Plus, I just didn't really feel like I had anything to say. It was as awful for me as it was for everyone else, I'm sure. Haaa! Kidding. But seriously. I think, I'm probably back. So, let's hop to it.

It's a lot of graphics that I, as an Introvert, think are HILARIOUS or that really struck me. And I hope that this will be enlightening to some.

 

So, let's begin by saying this. Being an Introvert and being shy ARE NOT THE SAME THING. NOR ARE THEY EVEN RELATED. Say whaaa?! Yeah, true story. Being shy has to do with social anxieties and that type of thing. But Introvertism vs. Extrovertism is all about how you gain "energy". Not like, energy that you get from sleeping or eating food, but like, social energies, spiritual energies... Ya feel me? Yeah! So, just because someone is an introvert, that doesn't make them antisocial. <--- that. That is what my real life conversation was revolving around. And it got a little intense. Anyway.

Scientifically speaking, introverts brains are wired differently. They take in stimuli much faster than the brain of an extrovert and it causes them to actually "overdose" on dopamine. Which is why they feel EXHAUSTED by a lot of socialising and general human interaction. They also tend to come across as rude, simply because they don't see the point of a lot of the "normal" human pleasantries and they don't do the whole small talk thing. They would rather discuss ideas than who so-and-so is dating. Introverts GIVE energy in the social situation and extroverts GAIN energy in the social situation.

 

 

Personally, I am VERY much an Introvert. I socialize when I'm around others, but when I get the chance to be alone with my thoughts, I can't get enough of it. I love being alone. I love sitting there and processing all the things that happened to me that day and all the conversations I had. It's fantastic. There was a week this past month that I had literally, zero time to myself. I was exhausted, I was grumpy with people, I couldn't think straight; it was horrible. I didn't realize until later that I didn't have any time to be alone without someone interrupting my thoughts and I felt like I was constantly under attack. It sounds like I'm being unreasonable and weird, but that's really what it feels like! So, that's when I decided to do a little research about this whole thing. I've just been ruminating over the topic for the past three weeks, waiting for some inspiration to write it. Since I had very limited time to myself, I didn't want to use any of it on blogging. I know, how selfish of me. But, it had to be done, for my sanity.

 

Like, two? weeks ago, when I met with my home teacher and his fake companion (he brought his buddy with him because his companion flaked); we chatted for about an hour and it was all fun and good and great. I loved it. But the second they left, I went into my parents room and collapsed on their bed and exclaimed, "Social interaction is so exhausting!" For reals, ask them. It happened. And it is! It's very draining to me to be constantly talking and thinking about what I want to say next. I much prefer to have lulls in the conversation and have time to process when I have to be with someone for a while. Even if I'm with someone and we just don't talk, I love it. I love being with people for the presence of their being, rather than the conversation. And I think part of what's so hard is that I'm a very active listener. When I'm listening to you, you have my FULL attention. And so being with other people is a lot.

 

So there we have it. Being an introvert is not being shy. We just, don't say things if we have nothing to say and we have to have some alone time pretty frequently. That's all. We're not some alien race of beings that look the same and talk the same as you.

 

Here are a few more graphics for ya.

 

I actually watched this whole show, it's HILARIOUS. Freaks and Geeks, go check it out. Netflix it up.

 

 

There you have it! Congrats if you made it to the end. Thanks for sticking around. I'll try to frequent a bit more. No promises though. Three more days until I'm a Phlebotomist! Five more days until I get to see my bestie and meet his boyfriend! Eeeee! Life is good. Mmmmmkaylikeyoubyeee!

 

Cheers,

Reille K.