I came across an article by Jonathan Rauch in The Atlantic called "Caring for Your Introvert" - check it out if you have a moment. It's a little tongue-in-cheek vindication for those of us who are labeled "loners" and cause people to worry simply because we're not as gregarious as other people.
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| Is this the "introverted" look? |
It's funny that an introvert like me has a blog, the very nature of which is widespread dissemination of personal experiences, anecdotes and opinions. Although I guess hiding behind "www" makes it a little easier to open up on such a scale!
But this is one of the ironies of the label "introvert" - it's not like I'm not friendly, and I really do enjoy people's company. It's just that I don't feel the need to always speak my mind (unless it's on the blog, of course) or to be the center of attention in a crowd, and I am more comfortable socializing in small groups. But, once you get to know me, I'm very open and much more outgoing and I talk. A lot. (Just ask my family.)
Anyway, the article contains some food for thought, especially as I watch Anna grow and develop her own little personality. Thus far she seems like such a ham that she must be an extrovert, but only time will tell!
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| Shy, isn't she? |
I laughed at that first line, introverts definitely do not enjoy being in large crowds. My husband is a closet introvert. He acts like an extrovert most of the time, but he comes out as an introvert on the Kiersey-Bates test. I however am an extrovert, and most of the time people know it as soon as they meet me, but I still suffer from insecurities and hide behind them when I feel overwhelmed by a large group of people.
ReplyDeleteMy kids are pretty much all extroverts, they love to be the center of attention, and talk to everyone who will listen about their every thought. It can be a little overwhelming for even this extrovert!
Anna is exactly the same way. She has definitely brought out the extroverted tendencies I do have, though, which is nice. I was painfully shy when younger, but have become more outgoing over the years. Since I am not as introverted as I used to be, I wonder where I would rank on a personality test. The only one I have ever taken is Myers-Briggs, and I was an INFP on that (which I think is introverted, intuitive, feeling, perceiving but it's been awhile so I'm not sure - I think I was 15 then). What is the Kiersey-Bates test? I've never heard of it so I'm intrigued!
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