Ten Things I Love About Being an Introvert (in no real order)
photo: Sofia Brightsea
- I solve my own problems with minimal input from others. I can do this because I am supremely able to look on the inside, think deeply, consider many angles, and come up with a solid answer. I do consult others now and then – I believe it’s good to talk to wise people when I need help. But I also have confidence in my ability to find my own answers, which are backed up with well thought out reasoning.
- I enjoy being by myself. This is a huge advantage over extroverts who get freaked out if they don’t have enough human interaction. While I do love to interact with others under the right conditions, I am not disappointed when I have time to myself. I am perfectly capable of being on my own.
- I don’t look for the approval of others, with the occasional exception of my husband and children. It doesn’t really occur to me to worry about what the neighbors or people I don’t know think of me. I only worry about what an employer thinks of me if I think I’m in jeopardy of losing my job. Socially, I really don’t have the inclination to worry about other’s opinions.
- I can get a lot done because I can focus deeply.
- I know what it means to have an inner life. I know what’s inside me. I am in touch with my inner workings, my imagination, the workings of my mind. I’ve heard some extroverts express surprise that anything goes on inside of them – they’ve never looked!
- I don’t say much, and when I do talk, I’ve usually given thought to what is going to leave my mouth, which means that I have a smaller risk of putting my foot in it (although it’s happened).
- When people get to know me, they seem to be surprised and delighted at my depth.
- I understand why introverts are quiet – not shy, or upset or resentful of others – just quiet. When we are quiet, we become observers. There is so much to be learned about the world and its inhabitants simply by watching and observing. I love that!
- I love that I don’t need noise and chaos to stimulate my brain. My brain, with it’s twists and turns, is fully capable of triggering itself into action.
- I love that I can find pleasure in watching the sun shine through rustling leaves, or a spider spinning it’s web with solitary resolve. It’s a huge pleasure to sit on the beach in the morning, before anyone else is there, and listen to the waves.
What can you add to this list?
Thanks for reading!
Don’t forget to subscribe, share, save and bookmark and for goodness sake, don’t forget to read my book!
I agree with every one of those items, Lee Ann. Another item I’d add is that being an introvert is cheaper than being an extrovert. Since we enjoy being alone, we don’t have to go out with friends all the time at bars, restaurants, social outings, etc. We can just stay at home and read a good book, which is free if it came from the library.
This is a great post! I would add that because I don’t talk talk talk all day long, when I do say something, I find people pay more attention to it.
Sorry, I meant to add that as a follow-on to your #6.
Just about anything interests me. Right now I am juggling between Old Testament study, the mind body connection- esp where illness is concerned, knitting, really listening to music, reading interesting novels, and I’d like to find time to take up guitar. I do not need anyone else to entertain me! Yes, I am married, and I do love spending time with my husband; we enjoy our time together and are never bored.
Love this. So true, all of it. I also like that I can have varied interests, have time for them, and feel as though I can be vested in them and not spread too thin with other obligations. I love to learn and I hate limiting myself. Being alone a lot opens doors like people can’t even imagine. Plus, as you said, we get a LOT done!
Wonderful list.
The first things that came to my mind have already been said: Never being bored – what a foreign concept that is!
And the joy we take in varied interests, with the time alone to delve deeply into them.
There really is nothing about introversion that I find limiting or difficult. It is a very pleasant life indeed.
I can’t really think of anything to add as all 10 things describes me all too well.
This made me smile, all so true! Thank you Lee Ann
Something positive about us, finally! I definitely agree with everything, especially 3 and 7-10. I’d like to also add that introverts tend to be ‘real’. We’re not trying to impress everyone, we’re just doing our own thing. It’s hard to be yourself. It still surprises me how many people can’t handle it when someone wants to do what they want. Then again, I could be like that too sometimes.
As a follow-up to 2, whenever I want to be alone and say no, it’s like I’m wrong. I’m not supposed to say no because I know this person for such and such a time. They say yes, but that doesn’t mean I have to.
This is so true of and about me!
I just recently started working along a very extroverted person, that simply needs to talk at all times. I has made me realize how much I appreciate being able to rely in myself before asking everybody the question that I might have(wasting many precious minutes!). If a person just take a couple of minutes to think within him/herself, one will be able to figure out many things, and if at the end, one is still confused or not sure, then asking help solve the issue, but already knowing or having a general idea of what you stand for!.
@ Feliz: I know what you mean. To be honest, I don’t know why I ask questions first when I know the answer. Probably to make sure my thoughts are in tune with whom I’m asking maybe? It’s good for innies to just ask others to make sure we’re not out of sync.
It’s just irksome when someone assumes that a certain person, especially a quiet one, doesn’t know what they’re doing or just plain ditzy because they’re staring into space. Man, how many times do we have to say this? It generally means were thinking or taking a break from the outside!
Totally agree with all the points you make.
@Chris – that is so true. I was thinking about this fact just yesterday and was thankful for it.
@Eleanor – That’s what I was going to say, but a little different. I’m really interested in learning and hearing about just about anything, and so I tend to sincerely listen to people when they are talking to me about something. (Unless they are being redundant or it is about something stupid.) So I feel like I learn a lot from other people when they talk at me and from my environment. And I’m also thankful for my varied interests because it makes my life interesting. I’m a ‘learner’ for life.
I like how you talk about enjoying things like watching the sun shine through the leaves of a tree, a spider spinning it’s web, and sitting on a quiet beach. I find the such peace and joy being alone in the beauty of nature – watching a bee dancing around the flowers or sitting underneath a tree and watching the clouds roll by. I love just appreciating those things that are all around us, but that many people don’t notice because they are so “busy” doing everything else.
Wonderful. Just wonderful.
I really enjoyed reading your article. First and foremost, I am an extrovert, or at least described as one because I can be a highly social creature, and feel much more energized when I am around people and communicating, even if indirectly.
HOWEVER, I do disagree that all extroverted people lack the depth that introverts have. I know that there are a lot that do not understand the depth of one’s soul; however, you don’t have to be an introvert to see this, although it might be a lot easier since introverts tend to like to spend more time alone.
I have a brother who I consider an introverted guy; He is not shy at all, but I can tell he works best alone, and is not freaking out when not around people. However, I try and discuss alot of deep issues with him, and he just doesn’t seem to feel that deep. He actually seems cold to me. It is true that he is insightful and intelligent, but I believe extroverts can be just as insightful and intelligent but in another way and perspective. Extroverts tend to be brilliant conversationalists, and feeling type people. I’m not talking about superficiality here. I am talking about people who really have a deep understanding of human nature and are honestly curious about people; people who are truly compassionate, empathetic and understanding. This is the type of extrovert who is truly brilliant.
I don’t particularly enjoy being alone, but I find myself needing to reflect in silence a lot to where I can just talk to this spiritual power that I constantly feel myself surrounded in. In these several moments, I deeply am in this soulful but also analytic state. It is really difficult to explain.
My whole point is just a friendly reminder not to dismiss all extroverts. Yes there are the superficial ones (w/o meaning to be of course, their perspective doesn’t allow them to have more depth)…but I find a lot of introverts who are mean, cold and unwilling to understand another person because they are so self absorbed. Of course, this doesn’t pertain to all introverts either.
I guess all in all I could be an extroverted introvert, or an introverted extrovert. You take your pick
“I like how you talk about enjoying things like watching the sun shine through the leaves of a tree, a spider spinning it’s web, and sitting on a quiet beach. I find the such peace and joy being alone in the beauty of nature – watching a bee dancing around the flowers or sitting underneath a tree and watching the clouds roll by. I love just appreciating those things that are all around us, but that many people don’t notice because they are so “busy” doing everything else.”
My personal opinion is this has MORE to do with a truly romantic type person, who is also creative rather than an introverted person.
Also I disagree with the person who said that extroverts have a need to dominate the conversation. I am a VERY good listener, who listens to every detail, sincerely and truthfully. I even ignore my own needs for others!! But I am highly social, love to go out, love to meet people. Does this make me both or something? If not, I disagree with a lot of the backlash against extroverts, sorry to say.
Hey, these are the 10 things that I also like about being an introvert. I’d also like to add to the list. I think being an introvert, I don’t get too upset or easily deterred by someone else’s harsh comments. I am confident about my abilities and always stick to my beliefs. If someone does not like something that I have done, then I don’t care much about it. If I feel that I have done a good job then nothing else matters to me. Of course others’ opinions matter, but sometimes others remarks can be too harsh without any reason or logic. In such cases I’m least concerned, if I’m confident about myself.
Introvert & extrovert are just too limited as psycho-social labels
I’m afraid they’re just not enough to contain this vast complex and amazingly diverse world we live in, let alone its people..
I got introvert & extrovert traits, both mixed up in different ratios which get to evolve with seasons, the different days of the week, the lunar cycles, situational contexts, the various people I interact with and so forth.. If you take a hundred people I know, I’m not sure to what extent some will describe me as introvert or extrovert.. I’m very introvert when I’m sitting at my desk writing my next chapter, and I’m very extrovert when I go to a nightclub or to the office..
So, I’ll contribute one advantage of being introvert, and one of being extrovert.
Being introvert allows me to connect with depths which I amaze myself at always pushing further, providing me with inner peace, spurring my imagination to reach new spiritual and mental lands. It not only gives newer perspectives but re-sketches already existing perspectives. It allows one to have several mental roundtrips with the “beyond”. Coming back from there is hardly describable in words.
One major advantage of being extrovert is the inspiration and mind synergy one can get when interacting with other people, especially people from different horizons, cultures and backgrounds. Every person carries a different energy, which, when combined with others, can yield magical happenings in one’s life.
One thing to consider is that some of these qualities are equally tied to having a healthy level of self-condfidence as they are to being an introvert. It is low self-esteem that makes some of us seek approval and praise from others. Thus said, i appreciate your post, and will try to emulate these charachteristics more.
All nice examples of how we introverts can live rich and deeply fulfilling lives without the need for “sound and fury!” I like silence, as you mention in number 9. It is interesting how some people can’t live without a loud radio to drown out reality and supress deep thought.
The advantages of introversion to extroverts, especially #1 of your list, is clearly obvious to me when I play extroverts in chess; yes I did say extroverts. I sometimes play my students, and often they will form strategy comittees to “help” each other beat me. Their first problem is I am listening to all of their discussions, and adjusting my game to block all their efforts. Their second problem is the more forceful natural leader type usually out argurs every other plan for his own. He may not be the best chess player, but he is the best arguer. To date, in 15 years of teaching, I am undefeted when facing a comittee (I am NOT undefeted when facing a single player). If I had a choice, and the money for the personality change operation, I would not want to become an extrovert.