Are you an introvert?

introvert1 Do you often think that others do not understand you? Do you spend more time alone than most of your friends? Is socializing “pain” and “exhausting” for you? Then there is a high chance that you belong to the group of introverts. Knowing that you belong to the side of extroverts or introverts is crucial in order to find your inner strength and confidence.

Lifehack.org offers a simple test to help you find out whether you are an introvert or not. Read even more about the common characteristics of introverts in this article.

What is the main difference between introverts and extroverts?
While extroverts need to get out and be energized by people, introverts need quiet time to recharge, thus being in a group will drain that person. I have been an introvert my entire life, but I was not aware of this for a long time. When I realized it I could better understand my behavior, adapt my lifestyle accordingly, and as a result I did not feel awkward anymore.

Once you know you are more introverted, you need to learn to accept yourself as an introvert. Do not go to a party or leave it early if you do not feel comfortable. Fully enjoy sitting alone in a nice restaurant or watching a great movie in the cinema. Be grateful for your assets of being an introvert, for example for your brilliant listening skills and efficient working abilities that make you extremely qualified for many situations at work and in your social life. When you fully accept your introversion, over time you will automatically start to feel more comfortable in groups, as you limit your time to expose yourself to such situations and as you can now be the person that you truly are.

I recommend you reading a New York Times bestseller called “The Quiet — The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain to deepen your knowledge in this topic. It touches upon different approaches introverts and extroverts apply in communicating, in dealing with various situations and particularly in learning.

It is also interesting to read for you if you are an extrovert, as they often forget to realize and accept that some of their friends are likely to be introverts. Thus, keep in mind that you should not expect from introverts to behave like extroverts. Next time you tell someone that “he or she can not leave the party so early” or that you confront someone why that person is not participating in a group conversation, reflect on the person and try to ask yourself if that person could “simply be introverted” instead of weird.

Do you feel appreciative to be an introvert? Or do you rather wish you would be more extroverted? Let us know in the comments!