All growing up I was told I was an introvert. Personality tests, friends, and family members seemed to unanimously agree. But in my mind, the word “introvert” conjured up images of shy and socially awkward misfits – and I didn’t feel like a misfit. It wasn’t until I came upon Adam Young’s blog post called “10 Myths About Introverts” that I actually realized what it meant to be an introvert, and began to feel lucky to be among their ranks.
In the post Adam tells the story of his discovery of the true definition of “introvert,” and goes through ten common myths about the term. As I read I discovered that being an introvert had nothing to do with being shy, just more quiet and reflective. I felt like a giant light switch went on in my mind. He also talks about how introverts need time to process what happens each day, and how they get their energy and rejuvenation from within. Bingo! I couldn’t believe I’d spent all that time resenting being called an introvert when really it was just a term for a different – and equally important – way of seeing the world.
This digital story became extremely significant to me because it was something that helped me find my identity. No, it wasn’t fictional, and it didn’t have plot twists or great music. In fact it was written more like a journal entry, but it was written so simply and honestly (with just a hint of humor) that it grabbed my attention as much as any best-selling novel or blockbuster movie.
From this experience I concluded that a great story is something that has the ability to connect with people. Not every story will connect with every person, but I think that when it is written from the heart and reveals something about the human experience, there will be people out there that will identify with what it’s saying. Reading this blog post left me with a new, positive perspective of myself, and helped me realize that I was not alone in the world. That seems like a very successful story to me.
http://owlcityblog.com/2011/06/27/10-myths-about-introverts/
I am so glad to hear this list (with references) better explain what many of us have felt our entire lives as introverts (or extroverted introverts) - that everyone has necessary skills and talents that need to be heard, and that being introverted is no more a disease than choosing to focus on becoming a writer rather than a politician. Is one seen as more introverted than the other? Who cares. All are different and choose to excel according to our own physical and mental characteristics. Why should anyone care to think better or less of us by this distinction?
ReplyDeleteI love Adam Young! When I read this list back in June, just like you said a giant switch flipped on in my head and I realized that I was an introvert. It was amazing and now I don't feel so bad about needing to get away from everyone for a day or having to leave a room when it just seems like too much is going on. This post made me realize who I am and that it's okay. It really did change my whole perspective on life.
ReplyDeleteReading that blog made my night. It’s not that a light switch went off in my head, and I didn’t find my identity like you, it was more of putting two-and-two together. I know myself, and I know exactly how I react in certain situations and why I act the way I do. What reading this blog made me realize is that my thought processes are the same as introverts. It’s funny because all the introverts are commenting on this post when really it’s the extroverts who need to read this!
ReplyDeleteI consider myself to an extrovert, but my best friend from preschool all the way until high school was super introverted. I have to admit it was hard to understand him at times, but I really admired him. He is probably the smartest person I know, and super hard working and motivated. Most of the things on this list I already knew and understood because of my friendship with him, though maybe more as a generalization than a list of numbered ideas, so it was nice to see it all organized.
ReplyDeleteI've always had a hard time making good friends, and I knew that I was different from the people who make friends easily and have a lot of them. I never thought of myself as an introvert, though, and this article helped me put the pieces of the puzzle together. To each of the things on this list I thought, "I know exactly what that's like!" I suppose I am an introvert, and now it's nice to know that those social problems I had aren't actually problems at all! These things are what make me the type of person I am and there's nothing wrong with that. Good to know I'm not alone, either.
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