Introverts unite!

[mollyringle]

LiveJournal hasn't been letting me post or comment for two days till now. It's been traumatizing...*sniffle*

So. Remember when I said I would have to write a post about how extroverts routinely put us introverts through torture without realizing it? Well, it seems Jonathan Rauch has written it for me. It's completely perfect. You all must read this article if you want to understand the strangely silent people in your life. Excerpt:

...after an hour or two of being socially "on," we introverts need to turn off and recharge. This isn't antisocial. It isn't a sign of depression. It does not call for medication.

...Extroverts have little or no grasp of introversion. They assume that company, especially their own, is always welcome. They cannot imagine why someone would need to be alone; indeed, they often take umbrage at the suggestion. As often as I have tried to explain the matter to extroverts, I have never sensed that any of them really understood. They listen for a moment and then go back to barking and yipping.

Hee.

Thanks much to kenshi for locating this.

Comments

[scriviner.livejournal.com]

I just read the article. Holy cow. I'm an introvert. O_O

:: shock ::

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

And don't let anyone tell you there's anything wrong with that. :)

Re:

[scriviner.livejournal.com]

Yay!

[saraahphim.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I seem to be a mix of both introvert and extrovert...

[bexone.livejournal.com]

boo-yah!

::raises a fist in introvert solidarity::

::blessedly alone in my room while the extrovert roommates host yet another dinner party::

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Hehe, yeah...at parties I often find myself wanting to slip into a room and close the door and read a book or something. Nice to know this wasn't a sign of mental illness.

[(Anonymous)]

I have long known that I am introverted. Great article...thanks!

Jen (http://jenspeaks.blogspot.com)

[stillprettiest.livejournal.com]

long live the introverts! i cannot tell you how many times this has happened to me . . . :)
thanks for the article.

Extroverts are puppies?!

[rachel2205.livejournal.com]

He really doesn't think much of us extroverts, does he? *laughs* Barking and yipping indeed... Ah well, it was interesting anyway, although I already knew the basic points. Maybe we should all just realise that we all want different things from social interactions and not place value judgements on one type or the other.

[wildendeavour.livejournal.com]

Well, I understand. Remember I am the extrovert who has an aversion to 99.9% of the human population.

But yes, introverts do need time to recharge and be alone. I have many introverted and extroverted friends.

[hollinelf.livejournal.com]

I can't believe how accurate that writing is, and so true. The relationship I have with my best friend is odd: She's very much an extrovert (in the best way of course) and I'm definately an introvert. We seem to balance each other out, what with her confidence to do and say things, and my planning and thinking behind them.

*grin*

[raethe.livejournal.com]

I used to have oodles of extroverted friends...but I killed 95% of them in an introvert's haze.

[xenedra.livejournal.com]

Would you mind too much if I added you on my friends list? Your LJ rawks.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Fine by me. Thank ye muchly!

[bluegreen17]

i read this. i think i'm both introverted and extroverted though. and i think i need time alone because i'm one of those
[Bad username or site: highly sensitive @ livejournal.com] people and i get overwhelmed. and yet i'd go crazy if i couldn't communicate with others.. but they're all just frameworks anyway.
good article though...for some folks that might be clueless if they are not AT ALL introverted and don't get it.

correction

[bluegreen17]

ack! should be highlysensitive

pardon my goof.

Great article!

[jewelsong.livejournal.com]

I think I'll print it out and give it to all my extroverted friends who think they are doing me favors when they invite me to gathering after gathering in the hopes that I'll meet "some nice guy...really."

Oh, I added you to my friends' list. I didn't ask first. Hope it's okay! :-)

Re: Great article!

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Eeek! I feel your pain. Yeah; it's quite tempting to print it out as a leaflet and just hand it to people when they start whining, "How come we never see you?"

Oh, I added you to my friends' list. I didn't ask first. Hope it's okay!

Fine with me. I don't require people to ask. If they want this madness, they're welcome to it. :)

Fulfillment in Aloneness

[(Anonymous)]

A lot of disrespect for introversion is the western civilization. I spent many years in India in various ashrams in meditation in the 70's and 80's. I learned the great joy of aloneness and that in eastern culture it is "okay" to want to be alone to pray, meditate or develop a relationship with God or the Self, whatever your belief. Personally, not only do I recharge when alone but I am happiest alone. I experience being "brought down" by trivia and the mentality of most groups. I choose only those groups or people that elevate my thinking and inspire me. Creativity comes from above or the universal consciousness. One cannot develop a true sense of who they are or develop creatively when there minds are filled with garbage from without. I believe our society needs to value "alone time" more esp for developing children and young adults. Being close to nature with my dogs is my greatest turn on. I feel totally fulfilled miles from civilization in the mountains camping out. I am totally fulfilled there. maybe with some inspirational books. I have always been characterized by the extroverts as stuck up or elitist etc.. It bothered me when young but not any more. I am convinced that one has nothing to give society or any other being unless one has total peace within oneself when alone.

Re: Fulfillment in Aloneness

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

one has nothing to give society or any other being unless one has total peace within oneself when alone

Well put! It's refreshing to get support on this issue. A lot of folks seem to find aloneness very hard to understand and appreciate.