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Don’t Drive Us Nuts: Notes from An Introvert

They’re in your life but sometimes or rather, quite often, you don’t have a clue what’s going on in their head. You might not even think of your best friend, brother, wife, colleague, boss or student as an introvert, or you might have accepted it as one of their personality traits and left it at that. I don’t blame you- introverts are rarely truly understood by most people, even those that interact with them on a daily basis and unfortunately, there’s not much they can do about it. The most common opinions of introverts range from ‘shy’ and ‘quiet’ to the more extreme ‘reclusive’ or ‘unsocial’. As an introvert myself, I have to admit that it can be frustrating to explain this personality trait in a world that can seem like it was designed for social butterflies and those with the loudest voices. As someone who works in social media, this gets even trickier.

What Introverts Are Not

Sometimes, it’s easier to understand a concept better by defining what it’s not, so I’m going to attempt to undefine introversion. We introverts are not shy, aloof, reclusive, snobbish, indifferent, loners, or arrogant. We do not prefer to write in our diaries to having heart-to-heart conversations. We’re not pretending to be self-important either; attention is the last thing we want. We are perfectly capable and even enjoy deep, meaningful conversations, also with people we’ve just been introduced to. We are not completely pre-occupied with our own thoughts- we’re not as vain as we’re sometimes made out to be. We do not lack the confidence to approach strangers or talk to them. We do not lack confidence at all and we can totally rock our job interviews, even when we’re faced with an entire panel of interviewers. We do know how to tell a great story (even if we don’t always need to).

So Then Who Exactly Is An Introvert?

The word introvert literally means ‘to turn inward’ and if you can think of this as a natural tendency or an orientation, rather than a conscious carefully weighed decision, it’s easier to understand what it really means. Introverts are totally capable of enjoying social interaction and interesting conversations. But here’s the thing- they have a saturation point, beyond which constant company doesn’t only become boring as it does for non-introverts, but begins to drain their energies causing physical and mental exhaustion and complete misery.

Let me explain with an example.

Earlier this year, I attended a huge three-day travel networking conference (TBEX Europe 2015) for the first time. I was there on my own and did not personally know anyone. The power of networking in my current profession cannot be stressed enough and I was keen to attend this event because I knew I had a lot in common with other attendees. At the opening party, I got over my initial self-consciousness quite easily and walked around the event, introducing myself to complete strangers and mingling. I exchanged pleasantries, made acquaintances, developed relationships and had thoughtful conversations. I networked just like everyone else and enjoyed it.

On the second day, there was more networking and I found myself a little less enthusiastic about the whole affair. I needed to take breaks and find a quiet corner to collect my thoughts and reflect on the speaker sessions that I had attended. That evening there was another party that promised to be a lot of fun. Exhausted by constantly meeting and talking to people that entire day, I found myself trembling an hour before the event. The tiredness was both physical and mental and I knew I needed a time-out. So I skipped the party, went back to my hotel, and spent the evening in bed. On the third day, having my energy restored, I was back at the closing party socializing and networking. An entire evening to myself had helped me refuel my energy and given me enough to keep me going the next day.

It isn’t uncommon for us introverts to feel tired, irritated and frustrated even in usual settings at home that involve a lot of people- such as extended families or visiting relatives that are constantly around demanding attention and engagement. And small talk is hard for us- it’s just the way we’re tuned, small talk that’s empty of meaning and beyond the usual icebreaker is simply unnecessary for us. If you’d rather jump into something deeper, we’ll be right there with you talking or debating passionately and listening intently.

How to Identify an Introvert

The most common signs are in the body language of introverts- physical distance from the big noisy groups, general disconnectedness, and a quiet exterior that can seem bored are all representative of the hard-to-scale invisible walls that introverts cannot help but build to protect the very essence of who they are. Introverts don’t only want time to themselves; they genuinely need it to function normally.

Many introverts I know (including me) don’t enjoy long drawn phone conversations, especially when they’re about nothing (i.e. not giving any useful news or information) and with people they regularly meet in person. We don’t want to know what you ate for lunch and we find it excruciating to have to tell you every other day, especially when romantic love is not involved and we’re not swooning over the sound of your voice. We loathe regular conversations where you ask us questions, the answers to which you already know, such as, “So work is pretty busy, huh?” or “Isn’t it too hot there right now?” We’re not rude- and we try, we really do, but there’s only so much empty conversation we can make.

Introverts are often also good listeners, have the ability to put themselves in the speaker’s shoes and offer genuine empathy and advice. This is because our minds are not constantly prepping a related story to talk about when you’re telling us yours, something that occurs naturally with people who like to talk. When we’re listening, we’re actually just listening, with a hundred percent of our attention. That’s not to say that extroverts cannot be good listeners. But you can be sure we’re not competing with you to tell a better story. We’re also observing your face and the subtle emotions that play across it and using all of this information to really tap into what you’re feeling.

How To Care For Your Introvert

If you find yourself in a close relationship with an introvert, acknowledging this one personality trait for what it really is can make a huge difference to your understanding of this person and can deeply enrich your interactions with them.

That means respecting their need for space and solitude as something that essentially pertains to them and is not about you or people in general, and is easier said than done. Sometimes, the people who have known me for the longest time, and claim to best understand me, openly wonder if I simply do not like other people. Of course, this could not be further from the truth and I know this from years of solo travel, when I constantly meet new people and develop lasting friendships on these trips, often opening up about my life candidly to the people I meet. Not what you would expect from an introvert, but then again, the term simply needs better explanation- one, which ironically, the introvert in me is not always keen to offer.

Compassion towards an introvert can ease some of the energy-sucking irritation that they can feel in social situations that demand constant attendance. This could be allowing the person a few minutes’ time-out to spend by themselves without taking it personally or demanding that they hang out with the social group and make conversation. Don’t burden them with having to talk about things that they seem inclined to keep personal- they are not like extroverts who will happily share how they feel about everything. Don’t try to make the introvert in your life feel guilty about not trying hard enough to fit in or not responding to the efforts of an extroverted person or group. And don’t constantly compare them to other extroverted friends, colleagues or people with whom you share a similar relationship with, saying things like “he/she is so lively.” Lively is good, we get it and we can be it. Just not all the time.

Lastly, the best and most selfless thing that you can do for your introvert is also the simplest: say nothing and let them be, just for a little while.

Are you an introvert, or do you share a close relationship with one? Do you have something to add to the conversation? I’d love to hear what you have to say in the comments below.

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My attempt to help you understand the introvert in your life.

Clarke

Tuesday 8th of February 2022

Hi Natasha,

I came across your blog while looking for ideas for my upcoming trip to Dubai. What you wrote about introverts is what I’ve been trying to explain for years, but just gave up and and stopped.

In a word, thank you.

Mark

Sunday 27th of May 2018

Hi Natasha,

thanks for this article, it was really enlightening. There's a lot of hype lately about the whole extrovert/introvert thing and I was pretty sure I was on the introvert side. However I had never read anything so sincere from someone who is an introvert too.

It's really good that you use a successful blog like yours to give your point of view on what being an introvert really means. In a world where being social is considered the way to be, I believe us introverts end up feeling a bit uncomfortable or awkward and in a way even question ourselves for not being as social as the world wants us to be.

I'm starting to accept it now, to see this trait of my personality just as one possible way of being, not the wrong one. I won't force myself to attend certain events anymore, I just want the time I need by myself to recharge my batteries. It's true, probably we are seen as people who can't stand people but it's so far from true. On the contrary, I think we really want to give people the attention they deserve and to do so we need some peace and quiet first. I see no point in being part of a huge group and give attention to or get to know anybody really, I'd rather be with one or two people and have some really interesting conversation with them.

Like you, I hate futile, situational conversation, it makes me feel stupid and awkward. It doesn't mean I find extroverts shallow or stupid because they enjoy that, they just receive their energy in a different way. Oh, I wish we finally get to the point where humans understand the meaning of diversity and respect people for the very unique way each one of us acts and perceives things.

Good luck with your blog!

Natasha Amar

Monday 28th of May 2018

Hi Mark,

Thanks for reading and I'm glad it resonated with you as a fellow introvert. I agree about the hype- for some strange reason that escapes me, people who aren't introverts are now claiming to be- maybe it's becoming fashionable, huh? Good on you for accepting this personality trait- and identifying what you do and don't like about social situations. I wish for the same- where behavioral diversity is understood better, but we have some time before we get to that.

Best, Natasha

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Joe Ankenbauer

Monday 8th of February 2016

Interesting article. I'm pretty sure I'm an extrovert, and it's good to see the other side's point of view.

Vanessa

Monday 8th of February 2016

I am 100% an introvert and this often surprises other travelers because I'm a bit loud and I feel comfortable with public speaking and large groups. But being an introvert, like you said, isn't about quiet or shyness. It's just what energizes you - or sometimes what saps your energy!

I think that introverts make for exceptional travelers (if I do say so myself!). I find introverts take a lot of pleasure in the simple moments of a day - like watching a local family play in the park or sitting in on a choir rehearsal in a house of worship. Introverts also tend to be great listeners, so things like attending a lecture at a museum or a performance at a theatre are great travel activities.

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