Finding the balance between needing alone time and loneliness can be a struggle for introverts, but it's important to give yourself grace when things don't turn out the way you intended — especially if you are just discovering your introversion.
People are waking up to the fact that Introverts value their alone time more than almost anything else. Like anyone else, we need human contact to feel purposeful. But the strength to enjoy human contact requires phases of being alone. So, for Introverts, solitude is a pleasing experience.
Big Crowds
Swarms of strangers can be a fear for many people for various reasons, but it is particularly common for anxious introverts. Introverts gather their energy from being alone, but that doesn't mean the “all alone in a crowd of people” thing always works.
It's entirely possible — and in fact common — for introverted people to enjoy social interactions, too. But unlike extroverts, introverts typically consider solitude a necessity for energy restoration and recovery. If you're an introvert, you probably: feel recharged after spending time alone.
Contrary to popular opinion, hanging out alone can mean all sorts of fun activities. It may not be the most favorite thing for an extrovert to do, but an introverted person will enjoy every single minute of a chill, at-home activity such as reading a book or watching a movie alone.
Introverts struggle with the fast pace of many organizations and offices without walls can be rough for introverts who prefer to go inward to do their best thinking. If you're an introvert, you struggle with finding quiet time to gather your thoughts, particularly at brainstorming meetings.
Introverts are easily distracted by external stimuli and while they might be too nice to say anything, get very frustrated with constant interruptions when they are trying to concentrate.
As introverts, too much socializing wears us out. Sometimes we are just not in the mood to see people, and we need downtime to re-energize ourselves. We feel happier and freer when we are not dragged into things we don't want to do. When you're single, you can stay home whenever you want.
Overall findings show introverts are more vulnerable than extraverts to depression and decreased mental well-being. Introverts are more likely to be compliant and have lower self-esteem than extraverts, and also have less social support than extraverts, which can be detrimental when experiencing depression.
While it's true that both types of personality can experience problems with their mental health, it's widely accepted and proven that introverts are more susceptible to depression than many other personality types.
Yes, emotional trauma can cause a person to become a lot more introverted. Along with something as small as a loud noise more traumatic events can clearly change the way that someone acts.
Introverts can become temporarily disillusioned by incidents that leave them feeling slighted, disrespected, overlooked, or mistreated. For a few hours they may become disillusioned not just with the person who caused their anger, but with humanity in general.
One of the most prevalent myths out there about introverts is that they are shy, insecure, and have low self-esteem. It's an unfair assumption based on our outward mannerisms, personality, and our desire to be in smaller groups or alone. But the reality is that introverts can be shy, just as extroverts can be shy.
However, introverts don't need a wide circle of friends. They prefer one or two close friends, even though they may know many people and have many acquaintances. Despite this preference, introverts are often criticized for not attempting to make more friends, and are often viewed as lacking social skills.
Introverts are not the type to wear their hearts on their sleeves. Instead, we often have our guard up, and it can take a lot of one-on-one time for us to finally let down those walls. This can make dating difficult, especially when the other person wants to know more than we're willing to share.
While introverts are generally likely to report lower levels of happiness than extroverts, this does not mean that introverts are unhappy. Ultimately, it's important to note the happiness benefits of both introverted and extroverted behavior, no matter where you fall on the spectrum.
This means that introverts may process more information per second than extroverts, which helps explain why introverts are prone to overthinking.
Being an introvert doesn't necessarily mean you're socially awkward, but the two do sometimes overlap. Certainly, as in my case, the fear of feeling anxious and awkward in social settings can cause us to lean into our introversion.
Are introverts clingy? Introversion isn't a sign of clinginess either way, explains Aaron. An introverted person can be clingy or prefer distance, same as any non-introverted person.
We take things slowly.
Introverts tend to open up to new people more slowly than extroverts. We may be slower to make a move, like asking you out or getting physical. Also, we may be slower to reach relationship milestones, like saying “I love you” for the first time or proposing.
Just like anyone else, we long for the perfectly loving and harmonious relationship, but being introverts, we may fear the conflict, friction, and energy drain that often comes with being close with another person.
Introverts tend to draw energy from going inwards and being on our own whereas as extroverts tend to draw energy from things that are external to their mind. That is why overly stimulating environments can be energy draining for introverts, leaving us feeling tired, lacking in energy and even stressed.
Introverts are usually better listeners.
The “quiet ones” really do tend to listen and consider the ideas and feelings of others. In conversation, they may take mental notes and focus intently on what the other person is trying to express — as opposed to simply waiting for their chance to speak.