Do you sometimes feel like this? When you go to a big party, a meeting, or a crowded place, you feel very tired and exhausted. But how nice it is to stay home and read a book, watch a movie alone, or just talk to your closest friends. If you feel like this, you may be someone with the personality trait of ' introvert '. This is not a disease or a defect. This is very normal. So let's talk about this today.
Who is this Introvert?
Simply put, an introvert gets their energy from their own thoughts and inner world. This means that they prefer to be with what is going on inside their own mind rather than what is happening in the outside world. They prefer to have deep relationships with one or two people rather than working with large groups of people.
When you hear the word 'introvert', some people think it means someone who is very shy, doesn't talk to anyone, and likes to be alone. That may be true in some cases, but the personality type of introvert goes much further than that. Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert is determined by how you interact with the world around you and how you gain and expend your energy.
The terms introvert and extrovert were first coined by psychologist Carl Jung in the 1920s. He said that introverts recharge their energy by turning to their own minds and spending time alone. But extroverts get their energy from being around other people and being social. Think of it like charging a phone. An introvert charges up by being alone, while an extrovert charges up by being with people.
Are you an introvert? See if you have these characteristics too
About a third of the world's population is said to have introverted traits. While not everyone will exhibit these traits in the same way, there are some common patterns. Let's see how many of these fit you.
| Characteristic | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Needing silence to settle the mind | It's hard to concentrate when there's a lot of noise around you when you're working or studying. I prefer to work in a quiet place, in a private room. |
| Reflective | Rather than reacting as soon as you see or hear something, you try to think about it carefully, analyze it, and understand it. |
| Being self-aware | They have a good understanding of their own feelings, thoughts, strengths, and weaknesses. |
| Taking time to make decisions | I don't make decisions in a hurry. The best decision is made after thinking about all aspects and considering the alternatives. |
| Enjoying being alone | Loneliness is not a burden. It is something that brings rest and comfort to one's mind. |
| Dislike of teamwork | I prefer to work alone or with one or two people rather than working with many people. |
| Preferring to write rather than speak | I find it easier and more convenient to express my ideas in writing (email, message) than to say them orally. |
| Feeling tired after being in a crowd | After coming back from a party or event, you feel physically and mentally exhausted. |
| Having a handful of best friends | Even though I've lost many friends, I have a very deep, trusting relationship with the few I have left. |
Why do some people become introverts? Is it a brain change?
Scientists haven't yet discovered the exact reason why someone is an introvert or an extrovert, but they have found that there are subtle differences in the way the brains of people with these two personality types work .
Research has shown that introverts have more blood flow to the frontal lobe of their brain than extroverts. This part of the brain helps us remember things, solve problems, and plan for the future.
Another important thing is that the two respond differently to the chemical dopamine , which causes pleasure and satisfaction in the brain. Although both introverts and extroverts have the same amount of dopamine in their brains, an extrovert's brain gets a lot of stimulation and pleasure from dopamine. But an introvert feels it more like a burden than a great stimulus. Simply put, something that gives an extrovert a 'kick' may feel like a 'drain' to an introvert.
How many types of introverts are there?
Being an introvert is not a one-size-fits-all label. Psychologists say it's like a scale. Some people can be very introverted. Others can be somewhere in the middle of the scale. They are called 'ambiverts' . That means they have a balance of both introverted and extroverted traits.
Typically, an introvert may have some extrovert traits, and an extrovert may have some introvert traits. One study divided introverts into four main types.
| Introvert Type | What are these people like? (What are they like?) |
|---|---|
| Social Introvert | This is the "classic" introvert we all know. They prefer to be in small groups and in quiet environments rather than in large crowds and noisy places. |
| Thinking Introvert | These people are like daydreamers. They spend a lot of time in their thoughts. They have a creative imagination. |
| Anxious Introvert | These people prefer to be alone not only because they like it, but also because they feel uncomfortable and embarrassed when they are around people. |
| Restrained Introvert | These people think not twice, but several times before doing something. They don't act in a hurry. They take some time to act. |
Does an introvert mean someone is shy?
This is where many people get confused. Many people think that introvert means someone who is shy. But there is no connection between the two.
Being an introvert is a personality type. But shyness is an emotion. The two are completely different.
A shy person feels uncomfortable and fearful in social situations, especially in front of strangers. They may sweat, have a racing heart, or even experience stomach aches. They may avoid things like parties because they don't like those negative feelings .
However, an introvert avoids social situations not because they experience negative emotions. Rather, they feel more energized and comfortable when they are alone or with one or two people. This means that an introvert may not avoid going to a party because they are afraid of it, but rather because they enjoy reading a book at home.
Society's misconceptions about introverts
There are several other misconceptions in society, including the idea that an introvert is shy. Let's look at a few of them.
| The Myth | The Real Story |
|---|---|
| Introverts are unfriendly. | Being an introvert doesn't necessarily mean you're friendly. Some people think that because they don't have a large group of friends and tend to stay quiet in crowded places. But they can be very kind and friendly people. |
| An introvert can't be a leader. | Although extroverts often come to mind when we think of a leader, introverts can also be great leaders. They listen carefully to others' ideas and focus on long-term goals. This makes them very effective leaders. |
| It's hard to get to know an introvert. | They don't have a lot of conversations with everyone, but they have very deep relationships with their few close friends. Those friends know them well. They prefer deep conversations over superficial ones. |
If you are an introvert, never think of it as a weakness. It is part of your personality. Identify your strengths and adjust your life to suit you. If you feel that these traits are causing a major obstacle to your daily life, work, or relationships, you may want to consider seeking professional counseling. You can get guidance by talking to your doctor .
Take-Home Message
- Being an introvert is a personality type. It is not a disease, a mental weakness, or a deficiency.
- Being introverted and being shy are two completely different things .
- An introvert gains energy from spending time alone or with a small group of people. An extrovert gains energy from being with a large group of people.
- Being an introvert is no barrier to becoming a leader or being successful. They have their own unique strengths.
- If you are an introvert, be happy about it. Create an environment that energizes you and makes you feel comfortable.
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