People are frequently unaware that they’re introverts -– especially if they’re not shy -- because they may not realize that being an introvert is about more than just cultivating time alone. Instead, it can be more informative to pay attention to whether they're losing or gaining energy from being around others, even if the company of friends gives them pleasure.
Despite the growing conversation around introversion, it remains a frequently misunderstood personality trait. Here, let us help you identify if you are an introvert. See if any of these twenty three tell tale signs of introversion apply to you.
You find small talk incredibly cumbersome.
Introverts are notoriously small talk-phobic, as they find idle chatter to be a source of anxiety, or at least annoyance.
You go to parties -– but not to meet people.
If you're an introvert, you may sometimes enjoy going to parties, but chances are, you're not going because you're excited to meet new people. At a party, most introverts would rather spend time with people they already know and feel comfortable around.
You often feel alone in a crowd.
Ever feel like an outsider in the middle of social gatherings and group activities, even with people you know?
Networking makes you feel like a fake person.
Networking (read: small-talk with the end goal of advancing your career) can feel particularly deceitful for introverts, who desire authenticity in their interactions.
You've been called "too intense."
Do you have a penchant for philosophical conversations and a love of thought-provoking books and movies? If so, you're a textbook introvert.
You're easily distracted.
While extroverts tend to get bored easily when they don't have enough to do, introverts have the opposite problem -- they get easily distracted and overwhelmed in environments with an excess of stimulation.
Downtime doesn’t feel unproductive to you.
One of the most fundamental characteristics of introverts is that they need time alone to recharge their batteries. Whereas an extrovert might get bored or antsy spending a day at home alone with tea and a stack of magazines, this sort of down time feels necessary and satisfying to an introvert.
Giving a talk in front of 500 people is less stressful than having to mingle with those people afterwards.
Introverts can be excellent leaders and public speakers -- and although they're stereotyped as being the withdrawn, they don't necessarily shy away from the spotlight. Psst: Performers like Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera and Emma Watson all identify as introverts.
When you get on the bus/train/air-plane, you sit at the end of the seat -– not in the middle.
Whenever possible, introverts tend to avoid being surrounded by people on all sides.
You start to shut down after you’ve been active for too long.
Do you start to get tired and unresponsive after you've been out and about for too long? It's likely because you’re trying to conserve energy. Everything introverts do in the outside world causes them to expend energy, after which they'll need to go back and replenish their stores in a quiet environment.
You're in a relationship with an extrovert.
It's true that opposites attract, and introverts frequently gravitate towards outgoing extroverts who encourage them to have fun and not take themselves too seriously.
You'd rather be an expert at one thing than try to do everything.
They hate being jack of being all trades, and usually excel in one core subject of interest.
You actively avoid any shows that might involve audience participation.
It is terrifying!!
You screen all your calls - even from friends.
You may not pick up your phone even from people you like, but you’ll call them back as soon as you’re mentally prepared and have gathered the energy for the conversation.
You notice details that others don't.
Research has found that introverts exhibit increased brain activity when processing visual information, as compared to extroverts.
You have a constantly running inner monologue.
Most introverts need to think first and talk later. They constantly are talking to themselves in their mind.
You have low blood pressure.
A 2006 Japanese study found that introverts tend to have lower blood pressure than their extroverted counterparts.
You’ve been called a ‘wise soul’ since you were 20 year old.
Introverts observe and take in a lot of information, and they think before they speak, leading them to appear wise to others.
You don't feel ‘high’ from your surroundings.
They found that extroverts were more likely to associate the feeling of euphoria achieved by the environment they were in. For example in a high energy concert or DJ party the introvert won’t get a high with the music and environment.
You look at the big picture.
Introverts are more interested in ideas and the big picture rather than facts and details.
You’ve been told to “come out of your shell.”
Introverted adults often say that as children, they were told to come out of their shells or participate more in class.
You are a writer.
Introverts are often better at communicating in writing than in person, and many are drawn to the solitary, creative profession of writing. ‘Harry Potter’author J.K. Rowling says that being an introvert they feel most creatively charged when they have time to be alone with their thoughts.
You alternate between phases of work and solitude, and periods of social activity.
Introverts can move around their introverted “set point” which determines how they need to balance their life, they keep fluctuating between work, loneliness and social activities.
If you feel your introversion is creating a problem in life for you, you may want to talk to us at +91 77 360 350 77.
At Image Parivartan we help you over come such personality challenges and assist you transform your image.
