Not everyone prefers to be outgoing. Most of us prefer to stay inside and ‘chill.’ Nobody said that’s it’s not okay, it is completely okay. In fact, such personalities are said to have characteristics, preferences, perspectives, and ideas unique to them. If you find yourself having difficulty in finding common grounds with those outgoing individuals, it must be because you can’t relate to them.
In this post, we will share with you some unique personality traits of those who are tagged as the ‘introverts’ and will tell you that not being outgoing is actually good for you.
What Is an Introvert?
Introversion is one of the major personality traits identified in many theories of personality. People who are introverted tend to be inward turning, or focused more on internal thoughts, feelings and moods rather than seeking out external stimulation. Introversion is generally viewed as existing as part of a continuum along with extroversion. Introversion indicates one end of the scale, while extroversion represents the other end.
Introverts tend to be more quiet, reserved, and introspective. Unlike extroverts who gain energy from social interaction, introverts have to expend energy in social situations. After attending a party or spending time in a large group of people, introverts often feel a need to “recharge” by spending a period of time alone.
*Common Signs
Do you assume that you know who is an introvert and who isn’t? While you might think of an introvert as a shy wallflower who prefers to stay home alone instead of socializing, introverts can actually come in many types with a wide variety characteristics.
There are certainly plenty of introverts who are socially reserved and who would prefer to stay home and read a book rather than go to a big party, but there are also plenty of introverts who enjoy socializing. You might even be surprised to learn that many people who you think of as “social butterflies” might actually be quite introverted.
The following are just a few of the signs that you (or someone you know) might be an introvert.
1. Being Around Lots of People Drains Your Energy
Do you ever feel exhausted after spending time with a lot of people? After a day interacting with others, do you often need to retreat to a quiet place and have an extended amount of time all to yourself? One of the major characteristics of this personality type is that introverts have to expend energy in social situations, unlike extroverts who gain energy from such interactions.
That doesn’t mean that all introverts avoid social events altogether.
Many introverts actually enjoy spending time around others, with one key caveat—introverts tend to prefer the company of close friends. While an extrovert might go to a party with the goal to meet new people, an introvert intends to spend quality time talking to good friends.
2. You Enjoy Solitude
As an introvert, your idea of a good time is a quiet afternoon to yourself to enjoy your hobbies and interests.
A few hours alone with a good book, a peaceful nature walk or your favorite television program are great ways to help you feel recharged and energized.
This does not mean that the average introvert wants to be alone all the time. Many introverts love spending time with friends and interacting with familiar people in social situations. They key thing to remember is that after a long day of social activity, an introvert will probably want to retreat to a quiet place to think, reflect, and recharge.If having a few hours to be alone sounds like your idea of a good time, you just might be an introvert.
3. You Have a Small Group of Close Friends
One common misconception about introverts is that they don’t like people. While introverts typically do not enjoy a great deal of socializing, they do enjoy having a small group of friends to whom they are particularly close. Instead of having a large social circle of people they know only on a superficial level, introverts prefer to stick to deep, long-lasting relationships marked by a great deal of closeness and intimacy.
Researchers have found that people high in this trait tend to have a smaller group of friends. While extroverts generally have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, introverts typically choose their friends much more carefully. Their closest relationships tend to be profound and significant. They also prefer to interact with people on a one-on-one basis rather than in a large group setting. If your social circle tends to be small but very close, there’s a pretty good chance you are an introvert.
4. People Often Describe You as Quiet and May Find It Difficult to Get to Know You
Introverts are often described as quiet, reserved, mellow and are sometimes mistaken for being shy.
While some introverts certainly are shy, people certainly should not mistake an introvert’s reserve for timidity. In many cases, people with this personality type simply prefer to choose their words carefully and not waste time or energy on needless chit-chat.
If you are the quiet type and a bit reserved, you probably are an introvert.
5. Too Much Stimulation Leaves You Feeling Distracted and Unfocused
When introverts have to spend time in activities or environments that are very hectic, they can end up feeling unfocused and overwhelmed. Extroverts, on the other hand, tend to thrive in situations where there is a lot of activity and few chances of becoming bored.
According to at least one study, researchers have found that introverts tend to be more easily distracted than extroverts, which is part of the reason why introverts tend to prefer a quieter, less harried setting.
If you tend to feel overwhelmed in busy social situations, you probably tend to be an introvert.
6. You Are Very Self-Aware
Because introverts tend to be inward-turning, they also spend a great deal of time examining their own internal experiences. If you feel like you have a very good knowledge and insight into yourself, your motivations, and your feelings, you might be more of an introvert.
Introverts tend to enjoy simply thinking about and examining things in their own minds. Self-awareness and self-understanding is important to introverts, so they often devote a great deal of time to learning more about themselves. This might involve exploring hobbies they enjoy, thinking about their lives, and reading books that explore themes and topics that are important to them.
If you feel that you are self-aware and enjoy gaining deep knowledge about yourself, then you might be more of an introvert.
7. You Like to Learn By Watching
Where extroverts tend to prefer to jump right in and learn through hands-on experience, introverts typically prefer learning through observation. While extroverts typically learn through trial and error, introverts learn best by watching.
Introverts like to watch others perform a task, often repeatedly, until they feel that they can replicate the actions on their own. When introverts do learn from personal experience, they prefer to practice somewhere private where they can build their skills and abilities without having to perform for an audience.
If you like to learn more by watching rather than doing, there is a chance that you have a more introverted personality.
8. You Are Drawn to Jobs That Involve Independence
As you might imagine, jobs that require a great deal of social interaction usually hold little appeal to people high in introversion. On the other hand, careers that involve working independently are often a great choice for introverts. For example, an introvert might enjoy working as a writer, accountant, computer programmer, graphic designer, pharmacist, or artist.
*Unique Personality Traits
#1 Increased Emotional Strength
An individual who likes to be alone is able to identify, understand, and accept his/her emotions because he/she spends most of the time evaluating and observing his/her own feelings and thoughts.
#2 Naturally Empathetic
Many studies have proved that individuals who prefer being alone are more in touch with the emotions, feelings, and thoughts of people around them, hence making them naturally empathetic. Not only that, they know how to show more compassion for the people around them.
#3 A Strong Moral Compass
Another benefit of being an introvert is that they are able to better understand what they think is wrong and right. This is because spending time alone all the time helps us determine our moral beliefs and perspectives.
#4 Open Minded
Most people are misunderstood by the fact that introverts are close-minded. But in reality, they are the opposite. A study suggests that individuals who prefer solitude are very open to different perspectives and new experiences.
#5 They don’t Need Peer Acceptance
As the society is getting influenced by social media and the internet, it feels like we are gaining the respect of our peers. Acceptance and popularity are considered as the pressing concepts associated with success. Well, this can be a harmful approach to live by piling up on stress and anxiety of not meeting the goals and needs. However, those who prefer solitude doesn’t feel the need to gain the acceptance from anything as they are busy understanding their own sense of beliefs.
#6 They can Admit their Flaws
Individuals who prefer solitude are more likely to accept their wrongs and flaws. This is one of the most important traits required to attain a positive personal growth.
#7 They Value their Time
Those who prefer to be alone are more selective and choosy about the company they prefer. This indicates that they value their time more than anybody else and they want every second of their time to be productive.
We hope that you find this post interesting.