The Signs of An Introvert

I recently came across this Huffington Post article, "23 Signs You're Secretly An Introvert" by Carolyn Gregoire that sums up my personality so well!

There are so many misconception of the introvert.

For the majority of my adolescent life I struggled with my introverted personality traits because society made me feel as if I had a problem. I hated small talk, I was always being told by adults to "come out of my shell" and teachers often scolded me for not participating in class. 

Small talk seemed annoying, phony and cumbersome so I avoided it. My avoidance resulted in people viewing me as unfriendly or shy person, but I wasn't.  My character was misjudged all because people didn't understanding my disinterest in frivolous conversation. My biggest battle was class participation. Remember the the student in your class that would raise their hand before the teacher finished asking a questions, then once he/she was called on said "uuummmmmmm" because they didn't completely process the answer in their mind, but just had to be heard? I was the complete opposite! I knew the question and the answer before the teacher even asked, but voicing the answer was difficult for me. 

Ok, maybe I exaggerated a bit, I didn't know the question before it was asked. :-) 

My parents, both extroverts didn't understand me and made the connection in their minds that because I didn't speak up in class, I couldn't stand up for myself. They feared for my safety, my ability to deal with peer pressure and my leadership skills. I am glad to say that being an introvert did not stop me from standing up for myself or being a leader.

Here's the list of 23 telltale signs of an introvert that the article noted:

The ones that apply to me most are underlined.

1. You find small talk incredibly cumbersome. 

2. You go to parties -– but not to meet people. 

3. You often feel alone in a crowd. 

4. Networking makes you feel like a phony. 

5. You've been called "too intense." I rather discuss and put my energy into things that matter. Don't take offense offense if I'm not interested in your celebrity gossip and petty drama. 

6. You're easily distracted. 

7. Downtime doesn't feel unproductive to you. I need this to survive! 

8. Giving a talk in front of 500 people is less stressful than having to mingle with those people afterwards. 

9. When you get on the subway, you sit at the end of the bench -– not in the middle. 

10. You start to shut down after you've been active for too long. 

11. You're in a relationship with an extrovert. All of my closet friends are "outties". 

12. You'd rather be an expert at one thing than try to do everything. 

13. You actively avoid any shows that might involve audience participation. 

14. You screen all your calls -- even from friends. I just want to take this time to thank my friends & family for no longer taking this personal and accepting it. 

15. You notice details that others don't. 

16. You have a constantly running inner monologue. Nonstop! 

17. You have low blood pressure. Had no idea there was a connection, until now. 

18. You've been called an “old soul” -– since your 20s. 

19. You don't feel "high" from your surroundings 

20. You look at the big picture.  

21. You've been told to “come out of your shell.” My childhood struggle! 

22. You’re a writer. From my thoughts,to  this blog, my diary, my goals, my life plans, letters, my to-do list... I write everything! 

23. You alternate between phases of work and solitude, and periods of social activity.

 
Just know- we THE INTROVERTS can be social; leaders; & great communicators. We just focus on the inner world of thoughts and ideas, we think before we speak, and we recharge off alone time.

There's nothing wrong with being the "quiet" type.