Today’s A to Z Challenge post is for the letter “I”, and I thought it might be interesting to talk about a specific group of people – introverts. I’ll relate this back to my theme, Ladies I Love, in a moment; but first, a lot of people have the wrong idea about introverts. They think we are shy and withdrawn, or maybe grumpy and stuck-up. However, being an introvert is not about those type of personality traits at all! Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, when it comes down to it, it’s mostly about how you gain and lose energy. Extroverts get recharged by being around people, talking and interacting with groups. Introverts, on the other hand, usually are drained by these kinds of interactions, and recharge their energy by spending time alone, often in quiet settings, with their thoughts to keep them company. There are shy extroverts, and there are outgoing introverts. Apparently, 1/3 to 1/2 of us are introverts, and I’m guessing that there is a high probability that YOU are an introvert because reading and blogging is generally a solitary activity (at least in the physical sense), the results of thought and contemplation.
Even though we might be in the minority, the world needs our creativity. Because extroverts tend to be more vocal, our cultural norms favor the way extroverts develop, share and use information. Kind of like the squeaky wheel getting the grease, right? Well, even though the introvert wheel isn’t so squeaky, the cart still needs to maintain it to get where it’s going. Here are several famous introverts, ladies who have contributed much to our society through the arts, politics, science, and other fields (although this list is heavy on actresses): Audrey Hepburn, J.K. Rowling, Emma Watson, Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, Grace Kelly, Julie Roberts, Barbara Walters, Susan B. Anthony and Virginia Woolf. There are, of course, many many more than just these women – just google the Interwebs to find out more!
Susan Cain wrote a wonderful book called Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking. Below is a manifesto for introverts, created by Susan Cain, and below that is a TED Talk that she gave a while back; if you have some time, come back to this page and watch it (it’s about 20 minutes, but it’s really engaging and fun). She talks about how introverts fit into today’s society, what we have to contribute, and the best way to tap that resource. What about you? Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Take this short quiz and see what side you fall on. And leave me a comment letting me know how it turned out!
Fuzzy Undertones 
I have said I am an introverted extrovert. I enjoy being around other people, but my favorite is “creating separately together.” Too much noise makes my head spin. I am a bigtime Susan B. Anthony fan… she had her dear friend Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who was more than likely the extroverted louder one in their partnership. She was the one who wrote “Declaration of Sentiments” and presented them at the 1848 Seneca Falls event that launched the American Women’s Movement so long ago. Thanks, once again, for providing us more food for thought.
Thank you, Julie! Yes, today’s post is a little different from my usual, but I relate very strongly to a lot of introvert personality traits, so I wanted to include a little something about introverts as a group. And I appreciate the mini-lesson on Susan B. Anthony – definitely an awesome lady! 😀
Reading Susan Cain’s book in January, 2014 (during my recovery from serious bike accident), literally changed my life. Not only did I finally understand my own introversion, but she gave me a way to embrace it instead of try to change it – which I had been unsuccessfully trying to do for years. I evaluated a few social activities and friendships in light of my new understanding; realized they were giving me more negative than positive interactions; and discovered what I really wanted to be doing with my remaining years is write. Launched my blog in February; now spend my days reading, writing, playing at are; loving my husband, and I’ve never been happier. Social interaction is necessary, but I will approach it very differently than my previous failed attempts to be someone I’m not.
Oh – I’m so happy that you reached a better understanding of the way that you interact with people! It’s so difficult because as Susan Cain talks about, our society really is built on favoring extroverted personality traits, and introverts are taught that our ways are not ideal. But it sounds like you are a very self-reflective person and were able to see that you don’t need to change yourself into a round peg to fit the round hole…there are plenty of ways that a square peg can fit into the world and live meaningful, rewarding and happy lives. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts! I can really relate. ❤
Yes, I’m an introvert. I adore that alone time, and need it to recharge. Great topic! Thanks for visiting today. I love those cute duckies!
Thanks, Miranda! I am an introvert, too, and luckily I married an extrovert who understands and accepts my need for alone time to recharge. Thanks for stopping by – oh – any my headers randomly change – I chose about 10 headers that are all “fuzzy” in some way. Hee hee hee! 😀
I am definitely an introvert but what makes it worst is I have Agoraphobia.
Oh dear! I’m so sorry to hear that. Being introverted in an extroverted world is hard enough, but I can’t imagine having to deal with agoraphobia as well. I’m finding that blogging is a perfect way for me (an introvert) to interact with the outside world…I hope that you are finding that it helps too. Thanks for stopping by, Mary ❤
It’s hard to believe Barbara Walters is an introvert. Hmm ~ Anyway, so am I. My husband and both daughters are extroverts. How did that happen??
Visiting from A to Z~
Wendy at Jollett Etc.
Hi Wendy! I think there are a lot of people we wouldn’t necessarily peg as introverts, but who are. We all fall somewhere along the introvert-extrovert spectrum…and I think that there are many introverts who do a great job with interacting with people, audiences, acting, etc. (it’s not the same as being shy, after all…). They just need their alone time to recharge. I’m definitely an introvert but I really like speaking in public (NOT karaoke though lol 😀 ) – I will just need a longer period of time by myself to recharge after super-draining interactions. Know what I mean? Thanks so much for stopping by! 🙂
Took the test and it confimed what I already knew. I am an introvert. Do I care? No. I have a laptop, internet and an active social life on the net. blogging/.google+. Thanks for this interesting article and for stopping by me earlier.
You’re very welcome, Michelle! I think that many introverts do have fulfilling social lives when it is on their terms…and I think that’s one of the reason so many bloggers and social media users might be introverts. Works perfectly for me! 😉
I got an 11…so I feel average as usual 😉
Ha! That’s funny! Actually, the average answer for that quiz is a 14, so do you feel like you’re really in the middle of the spectrum, or do you lean a little more on the extroverted side? Just curious 🙂
I got a 15. I already know I’m an introvert and I’m content with it 🙂 I’ve watched Susan Cain’s speech before and I love her.
Yeah, I got a 17 – no surprises there! I’m find with it too, especially now that I know I’m normal and that there are differences between people on the extroverted/introverted scales. Susan Cain is amazing! 😀
Total introvert. I’ve embraced it. I love that cartoon. I would much rather commune with a cat than face making small talk at a party. To keep from completely becoming a hermit, I married an extrovert.
I did too! My husband is more extroverted, but he totally understands and respects my need for alone time. We are lucky! And whenever he drags me to parties, I am usually the one looking for the cat. It is one of the first questions I ask to the hosts – “do you have any cats?”. I’m a total crazy cat lady, but everyone knows that and chalks it up to me being “quirky”. I’m fine with that 😀
Sharing with my husband, who is an outgoing introvert. I’m a shy extrovert!
That’s an interesting combination, Marie! Thanks for stopping by, and for sharing with your husband 😀
This is probably one of my top favorite post to date. I am, of course, an introvert. I have a very hard time getting any solitude in my household. It can be very stressful at times.
Wow Misty – thanks so much. I totally understand how stressful not getting alone time can be – especially when you really do need it. I hope that you are able sneak some time for yourself occasionally, though! ❤
I always seek out the dogs at parties.
Hee hee hee – if there are no cats, I go for the dogs next! 😉
I scored 15. I’d describe myself as an outgoing introvert. It took me a long time to stop being shy. I can be quite noisy. There are some interesting articles about introverts on the web. Sue
Thanks, Sue! I scored 17, but I can also be quite outgoing. It just takes a little more “alone time” for me to recharge when I have to be “on” around a bunch of people, you know? Thanks for stopping by! 😀
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