So what is an introvert? - Page 3

Nej · 06-17-2012, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spring1onu

Mercy, that's me!

Me too

Sent from my iPhone - blame autocorrect for everything strange

Devushka · 06-17-2012, 06:05 PM

It's funny how you brought up being alone with your thoughts/puzzle/phonebook. It reminded me of how when I'm sitting in a waiting room or someplace reading a book, I really don't appreciate it when someone comes up and asks "What are you reading?" in order to start a conversation. Of course they're just trying to be friendly, so it's easy to let go about it, but I sometimes wish they understood that what might look "lonely" to them (i.e. someone sitting in a public place and reading), is actually fun to others.

cympreni · 06-17-2012, 06:55 PM

I'm very introverted, but I am way too antisocial to contribute to this conversation right now.

I'm sorry, I tried. Every time I type it up, I get these really long answers that are annoying even to me. I give up.

Acekkay · 06-17-2012, 09:23 PM

I'm like the exact definition of an introvert. Being around people really drains me. When I get home from school or anywhere really, the first thing I do is take a nap or just lay down. I find that doing things on my own makes me feel good. Group projects are not the best unless I have a specific task that I'm supposed to do. Going out, partying, clubbing is not for me. I would rather read a book, watch a movie, or even listen to music. I just think that I'm happier in my own company in a sense.
Sent from my iPhone using CurlTalk

Jess the Mess · 06-17-2012, 10:54 PM

I'm an extreme extrovert which is hard because I'm a SAHM with no car. Thank goodness my kids like to hang out with me.

SO is a hermit. Getting him to go to a party is like pulling teeth.

My fat thumb will make mistakes.

Honeycurls · 06-17-2012, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cympreni

I'm very introverted, but I am way too antisocial to contribute to this conversation right now.

I'm sorry, I tried. Every time I type it up, I get these really long answers that are annoying even to me. I give up.

Ha, get out of my head.

NetG · 06-17-2012, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegas_curls

I also am classified as an introvert on the Myers-Briggs tests.

But one very important trait that introverts have - that many times goes unmentioned and/or gets overlooked - we LOVE our personal space.

I'm the type of person that if I'm in a public place, like a doctor's waiting room/library/cafeteria, I'll purposely sit in the farthest away, most obscure seat b/c I just want to be alone with my thoughts/puzzle/phone/book. It irks me to no end (especially if the area is practically empty) when someone comes and sits right next to or across from me.

Having my personal space invaded is just another aspect of crowds zapping my energy.

Ugh, yes.

Even restrooms - the one near my has 10 cubicles, I think. When I'm the only one in there and someone uses the one next to me I want to ask them what the f- is wrong with them!

wavyblonde · 06-18-2012, 03:47 AM

Definitely an introvert. Being around crowds drains me, as does making small talk . Just zaps my energy. When I lived in NYC I was like a zombie. That many people and that much energy in my face all the time made me constantly exhausted, and there was no quiet place where I could truly escape. I think some introverts learn to deal with cities, but not me.

I'm okay as long as I have a purpose, though. When I teach or perform, I'm really sharing a solitary thing with others, rather than interacting with them, so I'm energized, rather than drained. I played with my band last night and was energized on stage, but SO tired when I had to mingle with the crowd. It's just two different animals.

I think those who are right on the I/E border are often called ambiverts. I've also noticed ENFPs are the introvert-iest extroverts. They love socializing and seem to have lots of energy, but they're also really happy just hanging out by themselves, being online, watching movies solo, etc.

I've had a couple of extrovert friends and one extrovert boyfriend who could singlehandedly drain me of all energy due to them directing all their focus on me. I'd just be really sleepy around them unless someone else was there to help deflect attention and keep them engaged. It's like my body just shut down around them, even though I enjoyed their company and personality.

xcptnl · 06-18-2012, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NetG

Ugh, yes.

Even restrooms - the one near my has 10 cubicles, I think. When I'm the only one in there and someone uses the one next to me I want to ask them what the f- is wrong with them!

OMG. I was going to type this exact statement. Get outta my head

vegas_curls · 06-18-2012, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NetG

Ugh, yes.

Even restrooms - the one near my has 10 cubicles, I think. When I'm the only one in there and someone uses the one next to me I want to ask them what the f- is wrong with them!

I was going to use this as an example as well, but I wanted to keep my post short. But yes, the bathroom stall thing is one of my top pet peeves.

kathymack · 06-18-2012, 09:09 AM

Another Myers Briggs introvert here. No one posted a link for a test. I just looked it up and did this one: Personality test based on Jung and Briggs Myers typology

I originally did the actually test in 1988/9 and went through the training, so don't think my answers are totally accurate. I just skimmed a lot of the posts, but don't think anyone mentioned that there is a "continuum" for personality traits--and your personality goes more towards the middle of the continuum as you age (that's from the training.)

It's really interesting for those who like that kind of "thing."

Surlycurly · 06-18-2012, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCG

I'm an introvert, for sure! I love spending time alone, and hanging out in small groups... If not small groups, then at least slightly larger groups of people I do know fairly well. In that case, I am very talkative and don't mind being the "center of attention" for a few minutes. But not for too long, or I get uncomfortable.

If I don't know some of the people in the group, I'm much more reserved and tend to hold back a little more. As a whole, I find being around other people to be utterly exhausting, most of the time. Give me my dog, or one or two close friends, and maybe a movie, and I'm happy!

Substitute the word 'cat' for 'dog' and this is me, all day.

Springcurl · 06-18-2012, 08:16 PM

Interesting. I took that test. I cam out as ISFJ-- which truly does sound like me. For work it suggest I be a translator... which is essentially what I am at my job.

SCG · 06-18-2012, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Springcurl

Interesting. I took that test. I cam out as ISFJ-- which truly does sound like me. For work it suggest I be a translator... which is essentially what I am at my job.

Hey, that's my personality type! When I took it in high school, I was an INFP, which I identified with at the time. But I think I know myself a little better now, and would agree more with the ISFJ classification.

For a really long time, I wanted to be a translator, funnily enough! I'm not planning to do that anymore, but I always knew it was something that would suit me. Maybe someday I can still make it happen.

Also, a huge +1 to whoever said we like our personal space! So, so true. People who constantly get in my bubble irk me to no end.

Devushka · 06-18-2012, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavyblonde

When I lived in NYC I was like a zombie. That many people and that much energy in my face all the time made me constantly exhausted, and there was no quiet place where I could truly escape. I think some introverts learn to deal with cities, but not me. ...

... When I teach or perform, I'm really sharing a solitary thing with others, rather than interacting with them, so I'm energized, rather than drained.

Too funny to come across this -- I was *just* thinking about how I'm one of these introverts who does all right in large cities because of a kind of anonymity that you can have in a city. Sure, lots of people are around, but as long as everyone's doing their own thing, and I'm left to do mine, I'm good. But then again, when I'm in the mood for some "people energy" (i.e. instead of just being with close friends), I can easily get that.

And dead on about teaching and performing I think. I teach and have spoken in front of crowds plenty of times and am good at it. But it really is something different than other kinds of interaction with people.
So,...Small talk? (Sigh) Yeah, I can do that fine, but I'm hating it the whole time. But,...Speak in front of a few hundred people? Sure.

kathymack · 06-19-2012, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCG

Hey, that's my personality type! When I took it in high school, I was an INFP, which I identified with at the time. But I think I know myself a little better now, and would agree more with the ISFJ classification.

For a really long time, I wanted to be a translator, funnily enough! I'm not planning to do that anymore, but I always knew it was something that would suit me. Maybe someday I can still make it happen.

Also, a huge +1 to whoever said we like our personal space! So, so true. People who constantly get in my bubble irk me to no end.

When you take the actual Myers Briggs and have it "scored," you get your personality type. However, you also find out where you are on the continuum between the two traits.

The time I took the test "blind" (without knowing anything about it), I was an INTJ. As I went through the training and read more, I felt that it was an accurate descriptor. I was very close to the middle of the continuum between N and S, so I sometimes come out as ISTJ when I take the "knock off" tests, such as the one in the link above.

nynaeve77 · 06-19-2012, 05:54 AM

On the Myers-Briggs, I'm right in the center between extroversion and introversion, with a slight extroverted edge (like, 52%). I have days where I do not want to be around people at ALL. Just the thought of interacting with another human being is exhausting. Then I have days where the solitude would drive me bonkers. Ideally, I'd be in a room full of bookworms who would occassionally update each other about what they're reading. Usually, if I have a social obligation, I'm kinda grumbly about it at first, but once I go, I have fun. My husband is really introverted, which is why he loves SCUBA diving; you go with a friend, but you don't have to talk.

He is easily overstimulated if there is a lot of group action around him and it stresses him out, though he loves hanging out with a few close friends.

My daughter is a total extrovert. She will literally get lonely if I have to cook dinner. She is completely energized being around other people and used to cry when playdates were over (she's outgrown the crying, but she hatese when she has to leave). I think my son is more like me. He's a little slow to warm up to people, but he ends up having a good time around people once he gets in there and starts playing.

Josephine · 06-19-2012, 06:24 AM

I love parties and being out with friends and with people but I never want roommates and prefer my own space. I like being alone sometimes but not often. I have always been an introvert. I try to be more social now than when I was younger but overall I'm still shy.

LadyV69 · 06-19-2012, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devushka

Too funny to come across this -- I was *just* thinking about how I'm one of these introverts who does all right in large cities because of a kind of anonymity that you can have in a city. Sure, lots of people are around, but as long as everyone's doing their own thing, and I'm left to do mine, I'm good. But then again, when I'm in the mood for some "people energy" (i.e. instead of just being with close friends), I can easily get that.

I was born and raised in NYC, so it's really all I know. I can easily tune out the noise and ignore the crowds, but then over the course of my life, I realized that I probably had to learn to do that or else be stressed and overstimulated all the time. Everything isn't for everybody. I can tolerate the country for about three days before I go nuts. The lack of stimulation works for awhile before I start missing it. It's weird.

MoppyT · 06-19-2012, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavyblonde

I think those who are right on the I/E border are often called ambiverts. I've also noticed ENFPs are the introvert-iest extroverts. They love socializing and seem to have lots of energy, but they're also really happy just hanging out by themselves, being online, watching movies solo, etc.

This right here, is 100% me, down to the ENFP. My favorite times at work (university admissions) are the big open house events, where I spend the whole day talking to dozens of people, answering questions, etc. I love parties and meeting new people, but I can (and sometimes do) easily spend all day by myself at home and be perfectly happy. I host a lot of parties at my house, actually, because it's the best of both worlds. I get to stay home, AND be around lots of people.