15 Myths about Introverts..

1. We’re shy

Shyness is a fear of social
interactions that has nothing to do
with introversion. Introverts avoid
socializing because it drains our
energy. Shy people avoid socializing
out of fear. Both introverts and
extroverts can be shy.

2. We don’t like people

Introverts like people as much as
extroverts do.  The difference is that
we take a quality over quantity
approach to socializing. We prefer
intimate gatherings over large
parties and one on one
conversations over group
discussions. We are fiercely loyal to
the few people we consider true
friends.

3. We have poor social skills

Introverts are quite capable of
developing great social skills. In
fact, we can be so charming and
socially adept that you might
mistake us for extroverts. The
difference between us and them is
we need more time alone to
recharge after socializing.

4. We don’t have valuable thoughts
and ideas

“There’s zero correlation between
being the best talker and having the
best ideas.” Susan Cain Click to
tweet.
Just because I’m quiet, doesn’t mean
I have nothing to say. Click to tweet.
The rich interior world of an introvert
often stays hidden. We don’t feel
the need to verbalize all of our
thoughts and ideas as many
extroverts do.  We might also keep
our lips sealed because we find it
difficult to express ourselves in
verbal conversation. We need time
to think before we speak. Many
conversations move too swiftly for us
to keep up.

5. We always want to be alone

Introverts need more alone time
than extroverts. That doesn’t mean
we want to be alone all the time. We
crave true intimacy with a small and
trusted group of loved ones. We are
not immune to the torment of
loneliness.

6. We are no fun

Introverts tend to feel drained by
activities that extroverts get a buzz
from. Perhaps big parties aren’t our
gig, but we know how to enjoy life
nonetheless.
Introverts can travel, have
adventures, dance, drink and be
merry, but we do so in our own
introverted way.

7. We are depressed

Our desire to be alone can be
misinterpreted as a sign of
depression. When we withdraw into
our interior world, it is not
necessarily because we are
depressed. More likely, we are
feeling drained and need to refuel
by disconnecting from the outside
world. Also, we enjoy strolling
though the enchanted lands of our
imagination. It’s fun!

8. We are a very small minority

There are a lot more introverts out
there than you think. Introverts
make up between 25-40% of the
population, but we often feel like a
minority. The reason you don’t
notice us is because we sometimes
disguise ourselves as extroverts or
purposely slip under the radar.

9. We always prefer to listen
Introverts tend to listen more than
we speak.
That doesn’t mean we
always want to listen. We enjoy
talking about our passions, but
often need an explicit invitation to
do so. When we are feeling
particularly drained, silence is more
appealing than listening.

10. We don’t mind being
interrupted

We do mind! As stated earlier, we
put a lot of thought into the few
words that we do say, so
interruptions are frustrating. We
get tired of extroverts interpreting
the slightest pause between words
as an invitation to cut us off.
Read more about why introverts
don’t like being interrupted here.

11. We are rude

Introverts don’t like small talk; we
don’t always want to stay until the
end of the party; we find social
pleasantries cumbersome and
exhausting; and we don’t like talking
on the phone.
Our distaste for all of the above can
lead others to think we are rude.
We are not – at least we really don’t
mean to be. The truth is, much of
our culture’s rules of etiquette were
designed by and for extroverts.
After a while introverts become tired
of ignoring our innate needs and
desires to please others.
Consequently, we sometimes choose
our own sanity over being polite.

12. We want to be alone because
we don’t like you

Extroverts are wrongly offended by
our need to be alone. They assume
we must be avoiding them because
we dislike them. Perhaps. But it’s
more likely that we just need some
quiet time to refuel. There’s no
need to take it personally.

13. We can be cured and become
extroverts
Introverts do not need to be ‘fixed’
and turned into extroverts. Click to
tweet.
Introverts have a myriad of gifts to
offer the world.  Yet, people
repeatedly underestimate our value
and make us feel like there is
something wrong with us.
Everyone suffers when introverts are
not allowed to embrace their true
nature. Click to tweet.

14. We are judgemental

People tend to think we’re silently
judging them because we aren’t
talking. Not so. We are listening,
thinking, reflecting or daydreaming –
not judging.

15. We are unemotional

As I mentioned in my post about the
challenges of being an introverted
female , introverts have greater
difficulty faking enthusiasm than
extroverts. Combine this with our
tendency to feel more inhibited, and
we come off as unemotional.
Introverts have feelings too; we just
don’t necessarily wear them on our
sleeves. We only share our rawest
emotions with our most trusted
companions.