The Truth: Through the Eyes of an Introvert

Amy Taylor February 07, 2013

Are you the kind of person who spends hours alone every day? Who has to be dragged to parties and needs one whole day of being alone to rest? And who everyone considers ‘too serious’, rude, shy, and aloof? Characteristics such as these are often correlated with that of someone who is an ‘introvert’. Introversion is a major personality trait identified in many theories of personality. Generally, introverts are people who are focused more on internal thoughts, feelings and mood, instead of seeking out external stimulation.

What it’s like to be an introvert

It is often assumed that extroverts achieve the best in life. But a growing body of research suggests introverts may be as successful. To name a few, JK Rowling, Barack Obama, and Steven Wozniak are all introverts. Contrary to the popular belief, introverted people do have many good characteristics. These individuals are very self-aware, thoughtful, keen observers, and interested in self-knowledge and self-understanding. Nevertheless, they tend to keep their emotions private, which is probably the reason why they don’t get around well with their opposites – the extroverts.

It’s not that they are shy. Introvert individuals are simply introspective, quiet and reserved. Shy people are frightened and anxious whenever they’re in social settings, introverts are not. They are the people who can amaze a large audience with their communication skills but feel awkward to attend in small gatherings and socialise with others.

Is there a problem with being an introvert?

According to clinical psychologist Laurie Helgoe, being introvert alone is not a problem. In fact, many introverts can easily socialise, it’s just that they prefer not to. Experts say that some introverts are more empathic and interpersonally connected than the extroverts. However, an introvert who is diagnosed with clinical depression, or has social phobia or anxiety issues may be faced with problems – and that’s where professional intervention may be necessary.

Introverts are as special as the extroverts

Psychologically speaking, there’s no real issue between introverts and extroverts. Everyone is entitled to live their life the way they want it to be. They can choose to be happy and loud about their emotions, or they can choose to be alone and quiet.

As with other complementary pairings – such as the East and the West, boy and girl, masculinity and femininity, the world would be incomplete without both the personality styles – introversion and extroversion. The problem is we are raised in a society in which it is believed that something is wrong with being quiet. Since then, we are told that to be happy, we need to be sociable. To be successful, we need to be bold. Just like in a musical show, we give more praise to the people in the spotlight, and often ignore those working hard in the backstage.

The sad truth is that many of us acknowledge introversion only as a second-class personality trait. But without introverts, we would have not got any chance to know the story of Harry Potter, or learn Newton’s theory of gravity, as well as Einstein’s theory of relativity. Many studies have shown that just like extroverts, introverts can do well as leaders, managers, wonderful partners, and the best of friends.

So maybe it’s time that we part from the loud world for just a while, and feel what it’s like to be alone and quiet, at peace with our mind for just a moment.

Dear Readers,

What do you think can be done to eliminate the growing social gap between the introverts and extroverts?

Share your idea by posting a comment below.