Surprisingly relatable signs of an introverted personality known to few
By definition, an introverted personality tends to find comfort in internal feelings rather than external interactions. Small talks, gatherings, and spending too much time in crowded places are likely to drain their energy. Introverts often end up feeling tired and awkward after spending a lot of time interacting in a social setting. An introvert would rather spend time alone – watching movies, reading books, cooking or doing some personal project by themselves. However, that does not mean that introverts do not socialise at all.
There are so many misconceptions when it comes to being an introvert. One such misconception is that introversion is the same thing as social anxiety. But that’s not true, introverts are not socially anxious they just tend to be more quiet and introspective.
At a social gathering –
Extroverts: Gain energy from social interaction. They thrive when there are a lot of people.
Introverts: Expend energy in social situations. If they are spending time with a lot of people, introverts tend to spend some time alone to “recharge” themselves.
Often extroverts and introverts are viewed as personalities on extreme ends, but the truth is a bit more complicated. On average most people tend to fall somewhere in the middle of this spectrum.
Types of introverts
When it comes to personality types there isn’t an either-or stamp. People can be introverted as well as extroverted at the same time. Psychologists think that personalities fall in a wide range according to what they are comfortable with at a given time.
An introvert can have a few or many traits of an extrovert yet have an introverted personality. People who fall in the middle of the spectrum are called ambiverts.
Ambiverts strike the balance of introversion and extroversion. When they are out socialising they will interact and play, however, they equally enjoy solitude.
A study shows there are four subtypes of introversions and most people fall into one of the four types.
There are four types of introversion personality –
- Social introverts – This is the “classic” type of introvert. Social introverts like small groups and quiet settings over crowds.
- Anxious introverts – They seek out alone time not just because they like it, but also because they often feel awkward or shy around people.
- Restrained introverts – These introverts think before they act. They are not likely to decide on a whim. Typically they take longer to take action.
- Thinking introverts – People in this group are daydreamers. They spend a lot of time in their thoughts and tend to have creative imaginations.
The study shows that one’s introverted personality may change over time in different settings. That does not mean that one can choose to be introverted or extroverted at any given time. With age and time, it is possible to become more or less introverted, depending on the life situations.
Signs of introverted personality
- They have a handful of friends – Introverts typically do not enjoy socialising, which is a common misconception. But they do enjoy having a close-knit of friends. For an introvert having a large social circle of people feels unnatural and superficial. Instead, they prefer to stick to deep, long-lasting relationships marked by closeness and vulnerability.
Researchers have found that people on the higher scale of introversion tend to have a handful of friends. 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.
2. They prefer working independently – Any activity that involves fewer people sparks joy to an introvert. For an introvert dealing and interacting with people can drain their energy. It affects their focus and hinders their productivity. Hence introverts tend to excel when they work independently.
3. They like to observe and learn – For introverts learning happens through observation. For them, it’s like drawing a map in their head first before taking the plunge. Whereas extroverts tend to jump right in and learn through hands-on experience.
Introverts like to watch others perform a task, often repeatedly, until they feel confident performing it. Introverts like to learn and practice somewhere private without having an audience.
4. They are self-aware – Introverts spend a lot of time examining their own internal experiences. They introspect their actions and motivate themselves to do better.
Examining their mind and simply thinking is something that introverts enjoy more than they admit. Being self-aware is crucial to introverts, hence they devote a lot of time understanding their mind and behaviour.
Exploring hobbies, thinking about their lives, and reading books with elaborate themes are some ways of keeping their mind in check.
5. They thrive in solitude – For an introvert, the idea of a good time is a quiet afternoon/evening to enjoy their hobbies and interests. A few hours alone with a good book, a peaceful nature walk or the favourite show on Netflix are great ways to stay energized.
An average introvert does not want to be alone all the time. They do love spending time with friends and interacting with familiar people in social situations. But they need to retreat to a quiet place after a long day.
Endless social interactions, small talks and parties can drain the life out of an introverted personality. They need some time alone to be with themselves to feel good about life. Introverts are private people, they open up around people who are close to them. They prefer going to places where people usually don’t go.
Any amount of introversion is normal. The important thing is how well you know yourself and what you choose to do about it. Like the study mentioned above shows that any form of introversion can change over some time. One can take to being more introverted whereas someone else can take to being more on the extroverted side depending upon where they are in life. By the end of the day, your happiness counts, it doesn’t matter if you are an extrovert or an introvert.
