Introverted

Huffington post recently published an article called:

"23 Signs You're Secretly An Introvert"

My version of a Bibliography:
The Huffington Post  |  By Carolyn Gregoire Posted: 08/20/2013  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/20/introverts-signs-am-i-introverted_n_3721431.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular  This article is based on the insights of a woman named Sophia Dembling who wrote:"The Introvert's Way: Living a Quiet Life in a Noisy World,"

Now that I have thoroughly listed all of my reference sources I can actually go into talking about the article.   

First off, being an introvert is no secret. Someone recently summed it up as best as I've ever heard it:

Extroverts take energy from around them in and feel better/stronger around lots of people whose energy they can feed off of.

Introverts give energy and end up feeling depleted being surrounded by lots of people that drain them of their energy.

It's not that introverts can't be in social situations -it's just that it tends to bring their energy level down and they don't tend to "shine" as much. Extroverts can be alone but they are often dissatisfied by it.

Here's the list of the 23 "signs" you're an introvert and my thoughts on them:

1. You find small talk incredibly cumbersome
-True. It's not that I suck at it, it's just that when I speak it's usually only to say things I feel are far more relevant -so mindless chatter that goes nowhere and is used for superficial reasons feels like a waste of time. I want to delve deeper. 

2. You go to parties - but not to meet people
-I guess. I'd go to a party because a friend I already know will be there or I think it will be fun. Meeting new people isn't on the top of my list of reasons to go. 


3. You often feel alone in a crowd
-Yes, I've discussed this before in past blogs. I feel less alone sitting by myself and MORE alone being surrounded by people. I feel more connected being alone and less connected and more out of place around large groups of people I can't connect with. Again it's about a deeper connection. 

4. Networking makes you feel like a phony
-Sometimes, it depends on the conversation/person I'm networking with. Networking is usually done to treat people like a means to an end. I'm am talking in order to accomplish something else -usually trying to sell something or get something. It seems ingenuine a lot of the time. But when it's about real connection with others it can be great. 

5. You've been called "too intense"
-I think I've been called intense once or twice in my life. Usually after I've opened up about the inner-workings of my mind because I think  thoroughly about a vast array of topics.

6. You're easily distracted
-Not really distracted, because I can focus deeply. But I am easily amused. I can entertain myself or find things that are entertaining easily. I don't get bored often. 

7. Downtime doesn’t feel unproductive to you
-Chilling at home, watching TV, day dreaming -these are some of my favorite past times. However I also acknowledge that they are more "selfish" activities done purely for the self and are therefore not as great as an accomplishment as things done for others. It's important to serve your own needs, but also important to give back and venture out of your comfort zone.

8. Giving a talk in front of 500 people is less stressful than having to mingle with those people afterwards
-It is ironic but the larger the crowd, the easier it is to speak in front of people. The smaller the crowd, the harder it is to speak in front of people. 

9. When you get on the subway, you sit at the end of the bench -not in the middle
-I know that is true for the classroom. Back of the class, far from the front. Usually off to one side of the room. 

10. You start to shut down after you’ve been active for too long
-Shutdown is a nice way of putting it.  I get restless, irate, grumpy, agitated, tired, annoyed... I start trying to bow-out gracefully.

11. You're in a relationship with an extrovert
-Some of my friends are extroverts. It's needed since they reach out to me and drag me out of my stay-at-home mentality. But some of my closest friends are more quiet -less extroverted.

12. You'd rather be an expert at one thing than try to do everything
-I'm versaitle actually. Trying new things and doing different things well has less to do with introvert/extrovert are more to do with flexibility. Versatility also keeps things interesting. 

13. You actively avoid any shows that might involve audience participation
-I don't want to get picked on. Improv and thinking off-the-cuff is not my strong suite. I need to think,reflect, and plan things out.

14. You screen all your calls -even from friends
-Hell no! I answer my friends as soon as they call. I want them to know I'm there for them. I suck at calling people myself, but I always answer my friends as soon as they call. 

15. You notice details that others don't
-I'm observant, detail-oriented, and a good listener. At the same time I'm naive so I also imss "obvious" things common-sense people pick up. 

16. You have a constantly running inner monologue
-Even as we speak/ I write

17. You have low blood pressure
-I have low blood sugar, does that count? 

18. You’ve been called an “old soul” -since your 20s
-I've been calling myself that for a while and a few other people have noted it as well. 

19. You don't feel "high" from your surroundings
-Depends on my surroundings. High, positive energy, large groups tend to make me feel excited/uplifted -like at church. But some social gatherings are the opposite. 

20.  You look at the big picture
-I'm more conceptual and think in the long-term, bigger vision. 

21. You’ve been told to “come out of your shell”
-More times than I care to say. Only now I choose when to embrace my shell and tell other people to leave me alone in my happy state and when to come out on my own. 

22. You’re a writer
-Technically introverts also can be artists, poets, philosophers, scientists, and even singers. It's about having a place to escape to that simultaneously allows you to express yourself and get your thoughts/feelings out there. To be heard even in silence. 

23. You alternate between phases of work and solitude, and periods of social activity
-I'm either at work (sometimes socializing), at home in solitude, or going out with friends/meeting up in groups/social gatherings. 

All-in-all a fairly accurate check list. Although I don't think all of the things listed apply to all introverts -even if most of them apply to me. 

Update: After Thoughts/Pictures

Of course the only problem with being "too introverted" is seclusion seems to affect people negatively after a while. You do need someone to help check your sanity level from time to time or people become too internal and tend to go a little bit crazy. No offense Nikola Tesla...