Quiet; Took Me 40 Years To Be A Proud Introvert
I'm an introvert too and very much walled inside but it helps each time i read about other happy introverts…
As a kid, I always thought I was weird because I preferred to be alone. Don’t get me wrong, I loved hanging out with my friends, spending hours on the phone, birthday parties and all that jazz! But at the end of the day, I loved being alone in my room. Not only did I love it, but I craved it. I needed it!
I thought that being quiet meant you were not social. And that was bad. I didn’t want to be a loner. I never admitted that I preferred to be alone. As I got older, I still didn’t admit it, but it was easier to hide
Introverts And Social Media
It wasn’t until I started blogging and getting more involved in social media that I discovered there is a whole world of people out there who are just like me. I truly believe that is why I love social media. I can be alone at home and shut my computer off when I’ve had enough. I can still be very introspective, yet share that with others who understand. When I need to be social, I can get on Twitter or Skype and there is always someone there. It’s like the best of both worlds.
I now know that being an Introvert is different from being a loner. I have 4 kids and only 1 of my kids is more of an introvert. He prefers (and craves) that time with his own thoughts.
I only wish our society would be more understanding of the Introverts. Not everyone is an Extrovert. If I’m at a party and surveying the situation and figuring out where I fit in, you don’t need to ask me why I’m being quiet. Just let me be. When I am ready to mingle, I will!
Are you an introvert or extrovert?
This post was prompted by the book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts. Author Susan Cain explores how introverts can be powerful in a world where being an extrovert is highly valued. Join From Left to Write on January 19 as we discuss Quiet: The Power of Introverts by Susan Cain. We’ll also be chatting live with Susan Cain at 9PM Eastern on January 26.
Disclosure: As a member of From Left to Write, I received a copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
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- No, The Internet Does Not Make Introverts More Introverted [The Internet] (gawker.com)
I’m an introvert too and very much walled inside but it helps each time i read about other happy introverts cause i know i am not alone in this world. LOVE N PEACE
yea.. reading your post is more like seeing myself 🙂 I can say that I’m an introvert also.. be more quiet on a new ‘group’ for a while, surveying, analyzing, and just pulling the ‘radar’ out to see whether I could fit in or not… If I see the group is fun and easy to fit in, then I’m in.. but if not, well I could be the most quiet person on earth they would ever met (which is not a good thing).. *LOL*
Interesting that introverts can now out themselves in relative comfort, whether online or on twitter or any of the rest–there is a Time magazine article this week about Introversion. I am happy to know we are being explained.
I have just read “Quiet” and found myself on every page. Very comforting to know that I am not abnormal. Now if I could just get my family to read it!
I find that social media provides a great way for introverts to be “social” without having to go out and, you know, be social!
Love Love Love your post! How many times have I heard “why are you so quiet?” I think it’s rude to even ask that question. I would never ask “why do you never shut up?” “Or how many feet CAN you put in that mouth of yours?” So thank you for this post. And it’s good to know I’m not the only one who NEEDS her quite time. : )
you are so right, Laurie. Next time someone asks me, “why are you so quiet?” I’m going to say, “Why can’t you keep your mouth shut?” 😀
I’m the same, the only difference is i don’t care much for what others think. I have my few friends that know not to bother me in certain moments, and i don’t need anything more.
i could go the social media way, but that just seems to me like running away from reality.
I wonder whether introverts whose brilliant thoughts flows through their writings will still be called introverts. Introverts wanting to become more extrovert can benefit a lot from the social media since it can also help them open up more. I believe that we can try to become someone else but what matters is whether at the end of the day we’re happy with who we are?
Exactly! It is important that WE are happy. I think that society needs to stop trying to make introverts feel like they need to be extroverts. Often the work of introverts is overlooked. The world needs all types.
I agree 100%.
The term ‘introvert’ always has such a stigma attached to it – and once we realize that it’s NOT a bad thing, life becomes easier psychologically. Growing up, it was always seen as a weakness – but I think…I hope – that nowadays people are more accepting of it and realize the value in diversity. It really just depends on personality type. Who, in the first place, decided that the ‘extrovert’ personality is the model of success; the ideal way of being?
My youngest son is an introvert. At the beginning of the school year, I told his teacher, “He’s slow to warm up and doesn’t like to share his answers out loud in public. He also does really well if you can give him some alone time away from the group or keep the groups small.” She actually thanked me for the information and now he’s speaking up more of his own accord since he’s been allowed to get comfortable with his classmates on his own time.
That is awesome when teacher take the information and use it to make the kids more comfortable.
I agree – social media is a perfect fit for more introverted souls. 😉
That’s exactly why I enjoy social media as well.