Introverts – Here We Are, This Is Us

A few days ago in class, the teacher tossed our way an odd piece of advice. She told us that when we go off to work in an organization, the introverts among us must try their best NOT to come off as one and go as far as to pretend to show the characteristics of an extrovert.

As a solitaire, I felt as though my fellow recluses and I could have left the classroom happily without having this particular opinion hurled at us.

I think that the “quiet ones” are tragically misunderstood by the masses. It’s almost as if when people think of us, they picture an anti-social armored armadillo.

It’s unfair that there is an air of negative connotations attached to this personality trait. I mean, so we have a shell that we carry around, that’s no big deal.

Everybody loves the outgoing extrovert, but why undermine those that weren’t born that way? Most of us are wrongly thought of as the painfully shy sort. That’s not really the case. We may not speak often, but we aren’t afraid to communicate and express ourselves, though we may need a push at times to really blossom.

A common misunderstanding links introversion to being anti-social, which is a negative behavior where one disregards consideration towards other people, whereas introverts merely enjoy some time alone, that’s all.

We also yearn for belongingness and meaningful human connection just like our extroverted counterparts, but of course, not to the same elevated degree. The intrinsic desire to bond is there nevertheless.

The major difference that sets us hermits apart from the gregarious ones is simple, we NEED time to recharge, we feel re-energized when in solitude. Making our way through a large crowd, spending time at a party, mingling with colleagues or classmates can leave us completely drained.

We talk deeply, listen carefully, walk alone and when the occasion calls for it, we can even get our extrovert on, for short periods of time only though, because It’s exhausting.

We are most productive when unaccompanied and feel stressed when there is a swarm of people hovering over us at all times. That’s why calling it in for the weekend puts a smile on our faces. We’re immersed in a world of our creation, our mind wanders, explores, unwinds and that is when our performance and productivity climax.

Have you ever wondered why some people say they get their best ideas while taking a shower? Yep, seclusion from time to time can do wonders.

Thanks to research, people are starting to realize that streaks of introversion can be pretty great.

Isaac Newton, Abraham Lincoln, Audrey Hepburn, and Apple’s co-founder, Steve Wozniak are some famous introverts that took the world by storm.

Pencil sketch of Audrey Hepburn by me

I believe that being soft-spoken and preferring to turn inwards at times isn’t a bad thing. After all, solitude has long been associated with creativity and sublimity. Rejecting the idea of who we really are may result in thwarting our own process of self discovery.

Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.

– Aristotle

Thanks for reading everyone 🙂