‘Introverts Are Anti-social’ Is a Lie: Discover Why You Act the Way You Do
Who are you? Let’s do a quick personality test.
Have you ever felt dizzy or had a headache after spending long hours scrolling through social media? Or do you find yourself easily bored or tired after spending a short time outdoors, longing to return home? ( YES/NO)
Do you ever long for quiet moments of solitude after being extra talkative, overly cheerful, or acting more extroverted? ( YES/NO)
Do you find that you have more creative ideas when you’re hanging out with a large group of people than when alone? ( YES/NO)
The Results…
In The Ted Talk by Brian Little on the topic ‘ The Puzzle of Personality ‘, Brian differentiated an introvert from an extrovert.
The summary is that:
- Introverts:
- They’re not necessarily antisocial; they just prefer less stimulation.
- Because they function better in quieter, less intense environments.
- Hence, after socializing or character switching, they need alone time to recharge.
- Extroverts:
- They’re at their best in lively, stimulating situations.
- Which is why they are able to handle more social interaction.
- Hence, they don’t need as much alone time to recharge.
Now back to the personality test…
For the first question, if your answer was “yes” then you are most probably an introvert.
And that fuzzy feeling or quick boredom and unease you feel is your brain telling you “Hey, you have had enough stimulation already, this is not what we really should be doing”.
For the second question, if your answer was a “yes” then you are most likely an introvert too.
And the solitude you seek is essential to re-energize or recharge you (just like refueling a car after a long journey).
And lastly to the third question, if your answer was “no”, you are most likely an introvert as well.
Perhaps, you often get the best ideas when you are alone, away from others because it is during these quiet moments that you feel most energized. On the other hand, extroverts feel most alive and full of energy when the socialize with larger groups of people.
Character Switching: The Talkative Introvert
Introverts socialize just like extroverts do.
Character switching is when one takes on a different personality (like a quiet introvert acting more like a talkative extrovert) especially if a specific situation demands it.
So, it should not be surprising to see introverts working in roles like marketers, comedians, sales representatives, or active businesspeople.
Dear Introvert, You Made the Right Decision to Stay Home
It is essential that introverts have their time to recharge after ‘pretending’ to be extroverted.
Otherwise, they might get tired and experience poor mental health or overall well-being. For instance, think of the headache you feel after extended periods of stimulation.
Research has it that introverts consistently acting more extroverted than their natural inclination can take a toll on their mental energy over time.
I am glad that you have read this far, it means you’re willing to make an effort to understand yourself better, which is a positive step. But remember, the journey doesn’t stop here-it continues.
Strive To Be An Ambivert
When you took the personality test, you likely didn’t answer with all “yes” or all “no.” This suggests that you fall somewhere along the spectrum between being an introvert and an extrovert.
In other words, you’re a mix of both, or perhaps you’ve become skilled at switching between these character traits.
An ambivert is someone who can balance their introverted qualities with the extroverted qualities.
Remember, finding this balance allows you to adapt to different situations effectively.
Be an ambivert know when to stay home and recharge and know when to step out to act extroverted.
Once again…
I ask you: Who are you?
Remember, it’s not about being shy or outgoing; it’s about where you get your energy!
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