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Tuesday, December 13, 2011

10 myths about introverts

This guy is extremely spot on - guess he is really an introvert lol :P And I've almost all of these characteristics at varying degrees but I doubt I'm that extreme of an introvert - moderate perhaps. Although I feel more comfortable talking via an avatar but I still am very self-aware and, hence, I talk very little.

Link here: http://www.carlkingdom.com/10-myths-about-introverts



So here are a few common misconceptions about Introverts:

Myth #1 – Introverts don’t like to talk.
This is not true. Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something to say. They hate small talk. Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won’t shut up for days.

"This is so true!! =D I can go on and on on the latest documentary that I've watched or anything related to something I'm familiar with."

Myth #2 – Introverts are shy.
Shyness has nothing to do with being an Introvert. Introverts are not necessarily afraid of people. What they need is a reason to interact. They don’t interact for the sake of interacting. If you want to talk to an Introvert, just start talking. Don’t worry about being polite.

"This is true too! Why talk when you have nothing to really talk about? I mean... what's the point?"

Myth #3 – Introverts are rude.
Introverts often don’t see a reason for beating around the bush with social pleasantries. They want everyone to just be real and honest. Unfortunately, this is not acceptable in most settings, so Introverts can feel a lot of pressure to fit in, which they find exhausting.

"Yes, sometimes being straightforward is what I want to hear but some people just go on and on about something that I don't want to hear :|"

Myth #4 – Introverts don’t like people.
On the contrary, Introverts intensely value the few friends they have. They can count their close friends on one hand. If you are lucky enough for an introvert to consider you a friend, you probably have a loyal ally for life. Once you have earned their respect as being a person of substance, you’re in.

"True there. If you're a person of substance, and you've got my respect, then you're in for life, no matter what kind of 'patterns' you have :)"

Myth #5 – Introverts don’t like to go out in public.
Nonsense. Introverts just don’t like to go out in public FOR AS LONG. They also like to avoid the complications that are involved in public activities. They take in data and experiences very quickly, and as a result, don’t need to be there for long to “get it.” They’re ready to go home, recharge, and process it all. In fact, recharging is absolutely crucial for Introverts.

"Yup, like shopping, I like it but I don't shop for long - I plan out what I want to buy and go there and buy, only occasionally stopping by some on-offer items to check out their worth. I can't shop for let's say an hr. Plus, I don't see the point in window shopping."

Myth #6 – Introverts always want to be alone.
Introverts are perfectly comfortable with their own thoughts. They think a lot. They daydream. They like to have problems to work on, puzzles to solve. But they can also get incredibly lonely if they don’t have anyone to share their discoveries with. They crave an authentic and sincere connection with ONE PERSON at a time.

"How I love to have someone who would listen to whatever that I have to say on my latest discovery of some interesting stuff.... I never do"

Myth #7 – Introverts are weird.
Introverts are often individualists. They don’t follow the crowd. They’d prefer to be valued for their novel ways of living. They think for themselves and because of that, they often challenge the norm. They don’t make most decisions based on what is popular or trendy.

"Tho I do believe I'm currently picking up on the current fashion a bit at a time lol, but I do some my own weirdness - like what I do when I'm eating"

Myth #8 – Introverts are aloof nerds.
Introverts are people who primarily look inward, paying close attention to their thoughts and emotions. It’s not that they are incapable of paying attention to what is going on around them, it’s just that their inner world is much more stimulating and rewarding to them.

"Yeah, I do believe that is what my friends call as blur-ness or antenna short. I'm not very much aware of my surroundings unless I made an effort to and that effort is very exhausting in my opinion depending on how big my 'scope' of the surrounding - for example, if I only want to listen to what my friends are talking about, then I can (scope is small); but if I want to watch the cafeteria as a whole, that's taxing (scope is big)."

Myth #9 – Introverts don’t know how to relax and have fun.
Introverts typically relax at home or in nature, not in busy public places. Introverts are not thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies. If there is too much talking and noise going on, they shut down. Their brains are too sensitive to the neurotransmitter called Dopamine. Introverts and Extroverts have different dominant neuro-pathways. Just look it up.

"It depends on the definition of 'fun' - my idea of fun may not be the same as yours. For example, I can game for hours at end (until I'm satisfied) or sing for hours as well (until I feel hoarse lol) - I often do stuff to, almost, the extreme hehe"

Myth #10 – Introverts can fix themselves and become Extroverts.
A world without Introverts would be a world with few scientists, musicians, artists, poets, filmmakers, doctors, mathematicians, writers, and philosophers.

"Ohhh, yes I know that feeling... I've tried being a bit active in talking - I kept convincing myself that everything I say will get positive reaction from people, but then it didn't, and I shut down all over again LOL. Every time I start a new phrase of my life, I want to change - to be more talkative (I know I have a lot to say but I just can't say it when nobody's actually caring enough to listen actively - most of them just tolerate me :P), but I can't and I don't know why. Guess this is it lol"


That being said, there are still plenty of techniques an Extrovert can learn in order to interact with Introverts. (Yes, I reversed these two terms on purpose to show you how biased our society is.) Introverts cannot “fix themselves” and deserve respect for their natural temperament and contributions to the human race.

In fact, one study (Silverman, 1986) showed that the percentage of Introverts increases with IQ.

“You cannot escape us, and to change us would lead to your demise.” <-- I made that up. I'm a screenwriter.

It can be terribly destructive for an Introvert to deny themselves in order to get along in an Extrovert-Dominant World. Like other minorities, Introverts can end up hating themselves and others because of the differences.

If you think you are an Introvert, I recommend you research the topic and seek out other Introverts to compare notes. The burden is not entirely on Introverts to try and become "normal." Extroverts need to recognize and respect us, and we also need to respect ourselves.

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