The Question of the Month is a bloghop
that occurs the first Monday of each month and it is hosted by Michael G
D'Agostino from A Life Examined. November’s question
is a good one:
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
I can
definitely say that I am an introvert. I gain my energy from being alone. My
energy and motivation drain the longer I am around people and the more crowded it is. Over the years, I have felt so incredibly misunderstood by
many people. So much so that I actually have considered writing a book about
being introverted. I have pages of notes and journal entries that I have collected
about introversion. Since this applies to today’s question, here is a small
snippet from my “book” just for you, my blog readers :)
The
minds of introverts are so very different from our extroverted counterparts.
Not to say that all extroverts are like this, but some people just spew out
everything that comes to their minds. I put thought into almost everything I
say. There have been countless times that I've come up with a great point to
make or a funny anecdote only to realize that the conversation has moved far
beyond the topic I was focusing on. It's hard to keep up. I have the same problems
with interviews. I don't think outgoing people realize how much harder communication
is for a person like me. Most people just think I really don't want to say
anything at all, but I'm screaming on the inside.
I don’t
always feel that way in conversations. There are moments where words come to me
easily and it is usually around people I know well or people who know how to
say the right things to get me talking. In fact, when I am around those people,
who can get past the small talk, I feel more comfortable staying longer without
feeling the need to run home and recharge. Anyway, this barely touches the
surface of my personal experience with being introverted, but I don’t want to
spoil my book, lol. I will leave you with some fun memes I found
for my fellow introverts.
You should write that book.
ReplyDeleteI carefully consider what I am going to say as well. That not only comes from being introverted, but from not wanting to put foot in mouth with something inappropriate.
Very true, Alex, I have had a few of those moments where I wanted to immediately take my words back or when I say something I think is funny and get blank stares. Oh awkwardness!
DeleteBeen reading a lot of people's answers today with the introvert/extrovert; a lot have said they are introverted which is what I am too. Interesting how we all seemed to connect through blogs :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alex; you should write that book, I bet it would be well received.
betty
Yeah, writing makes it easier to get my point across than speaking to someone. I do enjoy connecting with bloggers, whether introverts or extroverts, all of you have such fascinating things to say!
DeleteI hate talking to people on the phone. Hurrah for caller ID! And Email! If you didn't guess, I'm an introvert.
ReplyDeleteTamara, yes I hate ringing phones! I usually wait for my phone to go to voicemail and then text the person, "What do you want?" Lol.
DeleteI understand what you're saying. Being in a social situation can often be exhausting, though sometimes it can also be very exhilarating depending on what I've taken with me from wherever I've been. Usually prior to going somewhere my initial preference would be to stay home.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Arlee, there are times when I regret not going out and also times I regret not staying in. It does seem to depend on who I will be spending time with and whether they are worth the energy. I have had some very memorable experiences in public places with my dearest friends.
Delete"Most people just think I really don't want to say anything at all, but I'm screaming on the inside." Yes! All the time. I got better at speaking my mind compared to when I was young but it';s still a battle.
ReplyDeleteChrys, I was worse when I was in school, but now I have ups and downs with speaking up, it depends on the kind of people I'm around. When I'm around my immediate family (all introverts) I tend to be more reclusive, and when I'm around people from my church or certain outgoing friends for an extended period of time, I am sometimes more willing to speak up to try to keep up :)
DeleteI love your pictures. I often wish I could come with witty things as quickly as some other people. So may writers are introverts.
ReplyDeleteSusan Says
Susan, that is why I love reading and connect so well with many characters I read about, some of them were created by introverted writers or at least writers who understand introverts.
DeleteYou should totally publish that book. I'm all about #introvertbliss.
ReplyDeleteToinette, well I just need to get more of it written first :)
DeleteI tend to censor myself a lot when I'm talking to people. The more comfortable I am with them, the less this happens.
ReplyDeleteMichael, I do much better talking with people I'm comfortable with, otherwise, I really do not say much unless directly asked.
DeleteI'm an introvert. I remember begging my mom, when I was 5, to get me out of kindergarten. A lot of it comes from misunderstanding and fear, in my case.
ReplyDeleteI never told my mother why I didn't want to go anymore. Back then, most girl dresses had sashes on the back to tie in a bow. Mine would always come undone and I'd have to ask the teacher to tie it. She said to me, "You have to learn to do this on your own." Well, since I couldn't even tie my shoes, I didn't see how I could tie a sash backwards. I was terrified. What would she do to me if I couldn't do it? I thought she might spank me. Things only went downhill from there. Lol
Belle, I feel for you, I had so many awkward experiences with adults when I was a child. I was definitely very shy back then.
DeleteIt can be hard to be an introvert. People do judge you and think you're stand-off-ish. But, you know what you feel comfortable doing and live the best life for you.
ReplyDeletePlay off the Page
Mary, I have learned overtime that there will always be people that don't really understand me. I just focus on those who do take the time to get to know me better.
DeleteThanks for all your comments, it gives us extroverts something to think about and to be aware of when we are with you introverts. I am not very introspective and try not to analyze things too much, so reading this, puts it out in front of me and now I can see a little bit what you deal with. My son, has always been an introvert, my daughter never knew a stranger, but David owns his own business and has become a salesman because of necessity. I never thought I would see the day. I wonder if shyness and being introverted are the same thing? He has never wanted to be in the spotlight. Interesting things to ponder. But likely I won't ponder long, but go on to the next subject. :)
ReplyDeleteMs. Jacky, thank you for trying to understand introverts better. I don't think shyness and introversion are quite the same. There are introverts who can interact and speak in front of people well, but afterwards, they just need to recharge by themselves. People can be quite complex and I think there are many who can balance their energy levels between socializing and alone time better than I can :)
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