Things you should know about introverts

Stephanie at the blog Playfully Tacky has written a great list of things you probably don't understand about introverts.

As I read the list, I found myself nodding my head over and over as I completely relate to everything Stephanie has written.  Here's just a few items from her blog post:

• We need to recharge alone.
This right here is the cusp of the entire introvert v. extrovert debate (if there is one, anyway) – Introverts need to be alone to recharge. We tend to get completely worn out by socializing. This is basically what it means to be an introvert.

• We don’t hate being around people, but we probably hate crowds.
I love being with people, but if you drop me into a large crowd I instantly feel like I’m alone and invisible. I try to avoid situations where I feel that way, so I may decline your open invitation to some random event. It doesn’t mean I don’t like to be around you, it just means I like to have more control over my surroundings.

• We don’t mind silence.
I can sit beside you in silence and not think we are having a bad time. This is especially true on road trips and can be a little confounding to true extroverts. For this reason, I especially like going to the movies where it is already considered rude to chat. Rule #1 for dealing with introverts – Don’t tell me I’m “too quiet.” I hate that. Sorry I’m making you uncomfortable, but you really don’t get to decide how much I have to talk.

• We can turn on an extroverted personality when necessary, but it is especially draining.
See #1 and #2. I have no problem getting up in front of a group of people and giving a talk. I don’t even get nervous by a question and answer period. But – here is the thing – I will need major recharge time afterwards and I won’t be able to keep up this extroverted illusion all day. I can turn it on to dazzle a crowd, but if you take me out for lunch afterwards, I’ll probably just listen to you talk. I am an excellent listener.

It's surprises some folks to know that I'm actually an introvert. Whenever I mention it, my friends all immediately say "But you're not shy!" And they're right, I'm not. It's possible to be an introvert but not shy.

While I can enjoy socializing, large groups of people can wear me out.

Being around groups of people and doing the "small talk" thing for long periods of time can drain me completely.  It's one of the reasons I often send PR guru hubby off to most of the events he has to attend by himself, or I encourage him to call a friend to be his "+1" for the night.

And number four above is definitely dead on for me.

If you are an introvert, or know someone who is - this list could be useful in understanding what it is to be an introvert, and how to deal with the concept.

Very well written, in my opinion.  Read the entire blog post here.