?As an introvert, you can be your own best friend or your worst enemy. The good news is we generally like our own company, a quality that extroverts often envy. We find comfort in solitude and know how to soothe ourselves.? ? Laurie Helgoe
Being an introvert, since my childhood I felt that something was very off about me. Growing up was a challenge as I didn’t behave like most other kids and spent a lot of time thinking and doing stuff by myself. When I grew up, I avoided social interactions and parties that all my friends used to be excited about. I kept feeling something is wrong with me. But when I was alone in my room, everything felt right. It all felt great. It was my own sweet world full of endless possibilities and I could do and create anything my mind could conjure up in my wildest fantasies.
The sheer joy of solitude is something that mostly introverts experience. Although some might view introversion as a disadvantage, the fact is there are numerous advantages of being an introvert. We may not enjoy chatting with random strangers or wasting our time in social gatherings or even going out to the world unless we have to, but we have our own unique set of skills, qualities and advantages that allows us to live a happy successful life in our own way.
Are you an introvert?
Do you feel you are different?
Do you prefer being alone?
Do you enjoy your own company?
Do you feel tired of talking too much or being with people for too long?
Congratulations! You?re probably an introvert. Introverts like me, prefer to spend their time in a calm environment with minimal stimulation. While socializing, we often feel drained and feel the need to be alone to recharge ourselves. Why? Our mind reacts to dopamine in a completely different way than how extroverts react.
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Introverts are usually born the way they are. However, our upbringing and childhood experiences like teasing or bullying or being forced to be like others can lead to social anxiety and make us find peace in solitude. But not all introverts are similar. We are all different people and we all behave in a specific way even though we share some similar characteristic traits.
Here are some signs that you are an introvert:
- Introverts prefer spending their time alone instead of going out with friends or being actively social.
- Introverts are usually very creative and enjoy doing solitary activities like writing, painting, reading, gardening etc.
- Introverts prefer spending their time with their small circle of close friends than going to a crazy party.
- Introverts are at their best when they are working alone.
- Introverts do not like needless social interactions and hate small talk with people.
- Introverts prefer intimate, one-on-one interactions than interacting with loud crowds.
- Introverts closely observe their surroundings and process information effectively to their advantage.
- Introverts can accurately read facial expressions and body language of other people.
- Introverts never seek approval or validation from others as they are self-reliant and have a strong belief in their abilities.
- Introverts are calculative speakers as they carefully think before expressing their opinions.
- Introverts value ?alone time’ the most as it essential for their survival for their soul, like water and oxygen for their body.
Introverts are not necessarily shy
The notion that introverts are shy is perhaps the biggest myth about introverts. Yes, some of us are shy, but not every introvert is shy. Some introverts are rather very confident about themselves and can be very funny and charming. Shyness usually refers to feeling anxious and nervous in a social situation. Introverts usually don’t feel nervous while talking to people in a social setting. They simply feel drained and worn out. Introverts avoid social interactions as they will need to recharge themselves later after feeling drained. We just like conserving our energy for better and more meaningful things. And this is one the best advantages of being an introvert.
Introversion is not a disease
?Don’t think of introversion as something that needs to be cured. Spend your free time the way you like, not the way you think you?re supposed to.? ? Susan Cain
In a world where extroverts are celebrated and rewarded, being an introvert may seem like a disadvantage. Extroverts get all the attention, opportunities and fun. Extroverts become popular and are good at pleasing people which provides them better opportunities to succeed in life. Meanwhile, as an introvert you may get ignored and your effort and work may go unnoticed.
But don’t be disheartened. Just because you are an introvert, it doesn’t mean you can’t be successful cause you prefer solitude over noise. In fact, there are many benefits of being an introvert. There are many successful introverts who are more popular and loved than extroverts like ?
- Barack Obama
- Emma Watson
- Angelina Jolie
- Johnny Depp
- Steven Spielberg
- Mark Zuckerberg
- Bill Gates
- J. K Rowling,
- Elon Musk
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Albert Einstein and others
Introverts are not only better than their extrovert counterparts, we also have certain advantages over extroverts. They may become popular, but we get things done.
Here are few advantages of being an introvert and some areas introverts shine brighter than others with their unique traits and advantages-
1. We are deep thinkers
?There’s zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas.?- Susan Cain
Extroverts may be doers, but introverts are capable of analyzing and observing every situation and find out probable solutions to any problems they face. Extroverts tend to talk more to process their thoughts but it can be problematic when they need to focus on the details. Introverts prefer to share their opinions only after they have thought things through and know that they can add value. This can be a great advantage in times of confusion and chaos.
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2. We are more creative
?Some of our greatest ideas, art, and inventions, from the theory of evolution to Van Gogh’s sunflowers to the personal computer, came from quiet and cerebral people who knew how to tune in to their inner worlds and the treasures to be found there.? ? Susan Cain
Extroverts usually drown their inner voice by putting excessive focus on social interactions and activities. Introverts prefer spending their time alone which creates the foundation for creativity. As we don’t like following trends, we tend to get attracted to the unusual and obscure. This leads to developing new perspectives, insights and unique & original ideas.
3. We are clever
?Quiet people have the loudest minds.?-Stephen Hawking
As introverts are wired differently, they tend to be very cautious and take decisions skillfully. By considering each aspect carefully, we have a specific advantage when it comes to analyzing someone’s character, solving problems and thinking critically. By gaining a deeper understanding through observing and reflecting, introverts make better judgment in life. We make sure that we opt for the most effective course of action which we won’t regret later.
4. We are excellent listeners
?Because introverts are typically good listeners and, at least, have the appearance of calmness, we are attractive to emotionally needy people.? ? Adam S. McHugh
Being quiet and calm by nature, introverts really listen to
the people they care about and try to understand their thoughts and
feelings. We often take mental notes and which allows us to respond in an empathetic way and help our friends in need. As we process information carefully and deeply, we are more perceptive. This makes us more trustworthy and reliable than extroverts.
5. We make loyal friends
?I’m very picky with whom I give my energy to. I prefer to reserve my time, intensity and spirit exclusively to those who reflect sincerity.? ? Dau Voire
When it comes to relationships and friendships, its quality over quantity for introverts. We have fewer friends as we are very picky about who we let into our lives. The relationships we develop are nurtured for life. Introverts are not interested in superficial relationships and we love to establish deep and meaningful bonds. As introverts have fewer friends, we surround ourselves with friends who are loyal and trustworthy.
6. We are independent
?You may think I’m small, but I have a universe inside my mind.? ? Yoko Ono
Introverts are more self-sufficient than extroverts as we try to develop and lead a life full of freedom. Introverts prefer working independently and are capable enough to operate without much supervision. In a professional setting, we often feel group projects and work teams are ineffective and slow our productivity. Introverts are trusted more by managers for their ability to deliver projects by themselves.
7. We don’t seek external validation
?You only know part of me. I am a universe full of secrets.? ? Lupytha Hermin
We enjoy our own thoughts more than what others might think about us. Introverts are content with their own subjective approval and appraisal than seeking any validation from outside. We are more focused on pursuing and accomplishing our life goals than thinking about what others have to say about us. Although it can appear pompous and arrogant to most, introverts place higher value in their own opinion of themselves and their own standards.
8. We may speak less, but when we do ? we make our point well!
?Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.? ? Plato
Unlike extroverts, we think carefully and judge all options before making any comments or expressing our opinions. Being deep thinkers, we are very clear with our thoughts and understand what we need to say in any situation to make ourselves heard. Introverts don’t just speak to make a point or to reply. We ensure our message is delivered clearly when we speak and it has some value to the listener. Being great listeners ourselves, we are aware of others? needs. So when we open our mouths, we definitely have something important to say.
9. Introverts can really focus
?Originality thrives in seclusion free of outside influences beating upon us to cripple the creative mind. Be alone’that is the secret of invention: be alone, that is when ideas are born.?- Nikola Tesla
Introverts devote their time to what actually matters instead of putting their attention on socializing. Being reclusive by nature, we can easily hide away from the world, and seriously focus on accomplishing a goal or a task at hand. If there aren’t any distractions, introverts drown themselves to various solitary and creative activities for long periods of time. Our ability to focus and concentrate on anything that we are interested in makes us experts in our fields of interest.
10. We have intuitive gifts because we are observe everything
?Don’t underestimate me because I’m quiet. I know more than I say, think more than I speak and observe more than you know.? ? Michaela Chung
Being deep thinkers and intellectuals, we like to invest adequate time to think abstractly, identify patterns and analyze situations. This provides us the opportunity to make close observations from a different perspective. With our valuable observations, intuitive introverts can easily find the best possible solution to any tasks or challenges they might face. These intuitive ?gifts? makes us special whether we like to admit it or not.
11. We are completely happy being alone
?There is a tremendous difference between alone and lonely. You could be lonely in a group of people. I like being alone. I like eating by myself. I go home at night and just watch a movie or hang out with my dog. I have to exert myself and really say, oh God, I?ve got to see my friends because I’m too content by myself.? ? Drew Barrymore
The idea of being alone with their own thoughts, feelings and self-development projects can be most stimulating to an introvert. The joy and bliss we experience in solitude is unparalleled. When we don’t need to explain ourselves to others and we can be all by ourselves, that moment we can truly and fully be ourselves. We are deep thinkers. So we love reflection and introspection. It helps us find our own faults and strengths, work on ourselves, invest in our dreams and facilitate our growth. This is perhaps one of the biggest advantages of being an introvert.
A world of our own
Being alone in solitude has a unique strength which only introverts can feel.
It makes us who we are inside. We don’t feel lonely when we are
alone. We love it. For us, enjoying our ‘me time? can be most exciting
and stimulating part of the day. As we don’t seek validation
from others, we are completely at peace just by ourselves. We give
ourselves the best life advice and manage to find the best solution in
any given situation. We are not dependent on others to make us
feel good about ourselves. This makes introverts powerful people who can
analyse and accomplish any task they set out to achieve.
Only the lucky few can experience such mental strength and find peace in solitude. Irrespective of how our day turns out, an introvert would rather spend their night in their pajamas cosying up on the couch with a book than going to the biggest party in the town.
Being an introvert can be an amazing experience by itself once you start embracing your inner introvert. So, instead of hoping to be like your extroverted friend and enjoying life by socializing, cherish yourself and the advantages that come with being an introvert.
Here’s an interesting video to help you find out if you are an introvert:
