If you are curious which camp you fall into, as many people are unsure, this post today hopefully will bring you some clarity! Neither extrovert nor introvert are better than the other; however both types face particular challenges that are worth noting. I’ll also be linking you to some pretty popular introvert and extrovert books on amazon.
The basic definition of extroversion is that you get your energy from being around people. You recharge by connecting with others. You may also have a tendency to act or speak before thinking things through. This is the camp I fall into; however, like many *shy* extroverts I can be choosy about the type of conversation I enter into. Talking about sports? For me that’s a *nope*. What items you found on sale today? Nah. The weather? Maybe. It’s a necessary evil. But are you…talking about what makes you tick? Your life’s passions? Funny stories from yesteryear? Planning a trip? Plotting to take down the establishment? Oh, I’m so there.
If you’re an introvert, you can also be a “social introvert”. This means that you are good with people, perhaps like meeting their needs, but ENOUGH is ENOUGH! At the end of the day, you recharge with quiet thoughts to yourself. You may even enjoy long car rides alone in order to process the day. Cuddling up with a good book is a favorite past time. After a weekend doing some solo self-care, you are ready to take on the world.
My hope is that you all will see that introversion and extroversion is not a black and white dichotomy. There is room for grey, and many of us fall somewhere in the middle. It’s a spectrum! Recently there has been a surge in the term “ambivert”. This term just means that you fall smack dab in the middle of being an introvert and an extrovert. Sometimes you are recharged by people, and sometimes you are recharged by quiet reflection and contemplation. My personal opinion is that if you get to know yourself well enough, you will be able to figure out your preference for either extroversion or introversion–even if it is just a slight preference over the other.
So tell me: where do YOU fall on the introversion/extroversion spectrum? Leave a comment below. Also, check out these great books on this topics from Amazon! If you end up purchasing a book, a portion of the proceeds will help me stay afloat during these pandemic times. Thank you!
Moore Vulnerability Counseling 