November 17, 2014
Introvert or extrovert?
Well known, successful introverts: J.K. Rowling, Bill Gates, Abe Lincoln, Christina Aguilara, Eleanor Roosevelt, George Stephanolpoulos, Emma Watson, Albert Einstein, Rosa Parks, Warren Buffet, Mahatma Gandhi . . .
In an earlier post, I mentioned that if we plan to help others we have to follow airplane safety guidelines and “put on our own mask first.” In my thoughts and ramblings today, I am pondering the whole ‘funk’ thing. How can one fall so entirely into a space of deep sighs and “on no’s” when things are going so good? Then the whole introvert/extrovert thing hit me.
My natural tendency is to be social, laugh and have fun. I love being with people sharing joy and delight. That is the truth. The other truth is that if I don’t have enough alone time I drop into a deep hole. I am a very social introvert and need that alone time to keep me energized for being with others.
Think for a moment: where do you get your energy? Are you more energized after being with people such as a family function, dinner with friends or another gathering of people? Or, are you more energized by solitary time at home, at the library or sitting by yourself having a cup of coffee/tea? Extroverts are energized and revved up by being with people; introverts need their alone time to be re-energized.
Neither is better or worse than the other. In the book Quiet, Susan Cain discusses how ‘extroverts’ in our society are touted as being correct and normal; and if you are anything other than an extrovert, like an introvert, your are encouraged to believe that something is wrong with you. Her book is actually about how normal it is to be quiet, often intense and also needing time alone. It is good to know about yourself and how you get energized.
A friend challenged me to think of where I am on an introvert/extrovert scale. If one (1) is totally introverted and ten (10) is fully extroverted, where would you put yourself on the scale? I usually am happy within 4 to 6; but without any alone time, I can fall to about a 2. With lots of alone time, I am at an 8 or 9. In knowing where we are on the scale, we can re-energize ourselves with what we need. It is better for everyone, including us.
So, after several busy days, I started my morning knitting then spent a couple of hours alone in my studio. I am beginning to see the light of day and am thinking about enjoying the first snow of the season . . . blessings! Cheryl