I am an introvert.
I am also an extrovert.
Is that even possible?
I love to read. Interrupting me is bad.
I love social gatherings, *but in moderation and I do need to step away from the crowds at times.
I love the internet (Who the hell made these lists??!?!)
I am energized by what’s outside of me as well as what is inside of me.
I attempt to understand AND change the world (my parts of it anyway, that’s where we all need to start)
It’s fascinating that I am so much of both.. anyone else feel the same?
*huggles*
An Introvert’s Lexicon
The following is meant to be a humorous look at the world from an Introvert’s point of view.
| WORD | Extrovert’s Definition | Introvert’s Definition |
| Alone, adj. | Lonely. | Enjoying some peace and quiet. |
| Book, n. | 1) Doorstop.2) Paperweight. | 1) Source of comfort.2) Safe and inexpensive method of traveling, having adventures, and meeting interesting people. |
| Bored, adj. | Not frantically busy. | Stuck making small talk, and unable to escape politely. |
| Extrovert, n. | A nice, normal, sociable person. Never surprises you with anything weird. | A boisterous person who may be very nice, but who is somewhat exhausting to spend time with. |
| Free time, n. | A time when you do group activities. (See Introvert’s Definition of work.) | A time when you read without interruption until you’re in danger of going blind. |
| Friend, n. | Someone who makes sure that you’re never alone. | Someone who understands that you’re not rejecting them when you need to be alone. |
| Good manners, n. | Making sure people aren’t left all by themselves. Filling in silence in a conversation. | Not bothering people, unless it’s necessary, or they approach you. (Sometimes you can bother people you know well, but you make sure they aren’t busy first.) |
| Home, n. | A place to invite everybody you know. | A place to hide from everybody you know. |
| Internet, n. | 1) Another medium for advertising.2) A place where geeks with no life hang out. | A way to meet other introverts. You don’t have to go out, and writing allows you to think before just blurting something out. |
| Introvert, n. | One of those who like to read. Moody loners. Be careful not to tick them off; some of them are serial killers. | One who shows a perfectly natural restraint and caution when meeting new people. One who appreciates solitude. Often, one who enjoys reading and has a philosophical mind. |
| Love, n. | Never having to do anything alone. | Being understood and appreciated. |
| Music, n. | Background noise. | Something with a tune and lyrics which may be moving and intelligent, or may be drivel. |
| Phone, n. | Lifeline to other people – your reason for living. | Necessary (?) evil, and yet another interruption. Occasionally useful, but mostly a nuisance. |
| Reading, v. | A chore that a teacher makes you do when you’re a kid. | You have to do it in secret and pretend you don’t really do it, or people think you’re strange. |
| Shell, n. | Something you find on the beach. | What people relentlessly nag you to come out of. Why do you have to leave it, if you’re happy there? |
| To go out, v. | Requires at least two people, and the more the better. Constant chatter, loud music, sports, crowds, and food consumption are all fun components of going out. | Can be done alone or with others. Enjoyable if there’s some point to it; i.e., in order to see a band, a movie, a play, or perhaps to have a stimulating discussion with one or two close friends. |
| Work, n. | Having to read, write, listen, or concentrate on anything. | Being pestered every five minutes about something trivial, and not allowed to concentrate. |
And also
Next let’s take a more serious look at some differences |
|
| Extraversion (70-75% of population) | Introversion (25-30% of population) |
| Energized by what goes on in the outer world | Energized by what goes on in the inner world |
| Need to talk to clarify what they think | Need to reflect before they talk |
| Can be seen as accessible and understandable | Can be seen as subtle and difficult to know well initially |
| Difficult for them to just sit & listen | Work quietly without interruption |
| Often work to change he world | Often work to understand the world |
| Interests often have breadth | Interests often have depth |
| Interaction | Concentration |
| Sociability | Territoriality |
| Multiplicity of relationships | Limited relationships |
| Expenditure of energies | Conservation of energies |
Those definitions couldn’t be more accurate! I have often asked myself the same question about you; are you an introvert or an extrovert? Introverts, like myself, are hard enough to understand, but I think you’ve topped it! (That was a compliment ;). Is there a quiet Kris, yet a loud one as well? I think I would confuse myself if I were you! Do your -verts change with your mood? My mind is just filling with questions…