The terms ‘extrovert’ and ‘introvert’ don’t refer to a black and white determination of personality types, but rather a broad spectrum with each of us falling somewhere in between. Recently author Susan Cain released her book ‘Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking’ and created quite a stir!
The book discusses the introvert-extrovert spectrum, and how our place on this spectrum can impact our lives in a similar way to our race, culture or gender.
Furthermore, Cain stated that introverts are often undervalued in our loud, fast-paced society. “A widely held, but rarely articulated, belief in our society is that the ideal self is bold, alpha, gregarious,” explained Cain. “Introversion is viewed somewhere between disappointment and pathology.”
While the world is largely overlooking the introverted individuals amongst us, the truth is that these individuals possess some incredible talents. Deep and introspective, introverts see the world in a different way than their outgoing, loud, extroverted peers. In fact, some of the most successful and inspiring people in the world identified as introverts, including Warren Buffet, Albert Einstein, Mahatmas Gandhi, Al Gore, Charles Darwin and J.K. Rowling.
Are you part of this exclusive group? Check out these 16 weird habits only a true introvert will understand:
#1 – You prefer life online over the real world.
The rising popularity of the internet is good news for introverts as it allows you to have everything you could want at your fingertips without leaving the house. Need to talk to someone, share information, grocery shop? Its all at the click of a button while in your pajamas on the couch.
#2 – You prefer meaningful conversations.
It’s not that you don’t like talking to other people ever, you just have no desire to waste your time on meaningless conversation and small talk. If you are going to interact with someone else you prefer a one-to-one conversation with someone about a deep, meaningful topic.
#3 – Your phone always goes to voicemail.
While you understand that a phone is, by definition, designed for people to call it, YOUR phone is for text messages, email, and social media, nothing more. If someone does attempt to call you, you will stare at your phone in disgust while waiting for it to kick over to voicemail.
#4 – It’s not just that you don’t flirt, you are incapable of it.
You may have considered trying at one time or another but whenever you even think about trying to flirt with someone you are overcome by feelings of anxiety. The idea of being shot down is too much for you to look past in order to put yourself out there and risk it.
#5 – You will sometimes go without just to avoid social interaction.
There are times in your life that you will face the great debate – do you really need whatever you were about to head out for, or is it not worth the potential human interaction? While others won’t think twice to run out for a coffee or swing into the store for much-needed supplies when working on something at home, you are always weighing the pros and cons and will choose to go without sometimes just to avoid seeing people.
#6 – You pretend not to notice people in public.
We’ve all been there, that time when you’re walking through the mall and you see your friend or neighbor just down the hall. Rather than shouting their name down the hall or waving, you simply look away and stay quiet hoping that they don’t notice you. If they do, you act surprised as if you hadn’t even noticed them there. After all, you weren’t outright ignoring them, right?
#7 – You communicate better through writing.
If you need to tell someone something important it’s not that you don’t want to meet up face to face or pick up the phone and call, but you communicate much better if you can write your thoughts down. This allows you to think through what you are going to say, eliminating much of the anxiety. For this reason, you prefer text messages and emails as your primary form of communication.
#8 – You check to make sure the ‘coast is clear’ before leaving your house.
No one wants to be blindsided by the mailman, the neighbor or a stranger looking for directions. Before leaving the house, you will peek out windows to make sure that the area is clear of any potential human interaction before moving quickly from the front door to the safety of your vehicle.
#9 – You are extremely selective when it comes to friends.
Some people may notice your introverted ways and believe that you simply don’t let anyone in, but that’s not the case. You have friends that you are willing to share anything and everything with, however, you are extremely selective as to who, maintaining a very small, tight circle of people that you trust.
#10 – You wear headphones when you are in public, even if you aren’t listening to music.
You are always on the search for ways to avoid having to talk to other people and you have discovered a gold mine. If you are wearing headphones you can ignore every attempt to talk to you, pretending that you don’t heart a word they are saying. Sometimes those headphones are cranking your favorite tunes, but other times they are simply just for show.
#11 – You are excited when others cancel plans.
You don’t make plans all that often, however, you do understand that your friends and family will, from time to time, want to spend time together. Giving in, you’ll make plans that you later wish you hadn’t as the idea of leaving the house looms over you. While canceled plans will leave many people feeling upset or disappointed, for you it brings relief. After all, you get out of going out and you didn’t even have to come up with an excuse and be the bad guy.
#12 – You sometimes need to be around people, but not necessarily talking.
There are times in your life that you are dealing with a challenge or difficulty and you want your closest friends around you, however, you aren’t interested in actually socializing. You simply want them to BE there. This can also cause a great deal of difficulty in your dating life, as you desire the same from your romantic partners.
#13 – You aren’t afraid to tell your friends when it’s time to go.
It’s not that you’re trying to be rude, but when you hit the point that you have just had enough of other people, you aren’t going to hold back. You may avoid confrontation in many areas of your life, but when it comes to getting your space back you have no problem with telling your friends that you have had enough, and that time has come.
#14 – You pretend to nod off in group settings.
There are times in your life that you either can’t avoid being in a group setting, or you have a short lapse of judgment that leads you there. Once you are surrounded there is no escape and you are expected to engage in small talk, listen to their stories and laugh at their jokes. If there is no clear route for escape, you will simply pretend to fall asleep to save yourself from unnecessary human interaction.
#15 – You always consider the consequences of your actions.
Before you take any action or make a rash decision you carefully consider how things work and how your actions may impact you long term. This ‘look before you leap’ mentality helps to keep you from getting into trouble, often causing you to be seen as the ‘responsible one’ in your group of friends.
#16 – You need ‘you’ time to recharge.
It’s not just that you prefer some time on your own, you actually NEED this time in order to refocus and center yourself. You can handle a limited amount of time out and about in social situations before you need the time alone to recharge your batteries and take care of yourself before you’re ready to go back out and do it all again.
Image via Bella Kotak