It's OK to be an Introvert!

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/...isan-extrovert

That was such an interesting (albeit exhaustive) article!

I'm an introvert, but as mentioned in the article, I'm more than capable of acting in such a way that could be perceived as extroverted. xD

How about y'all?

Seems to me that the article states the obvious. Introverts are in no way lacking ability or capacities for interacting socially. We just prefer to remain reserved and keep to ourselves, we are private people in many ways but that does not mean to the exclusivity of ever being able to socially interact!

Seems to me in a nutshell and extrovert is for the most part outgoing and social in most situations whereas an introvert is only so when the need arises.

Just my 2c.

I'm definitely an introvert. I recommend Susan Cain's book "Quiet: the Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking." It's been all the rage these days, but she is doing a lot of good in providing a forum to talk about introversion in a way that's not "not extraversion."

I act quite extraverted for an introvert. But I have the thinking of an introvert. People sometimes think I'm very sociable but I only am once in a while and when I feel like it. I always need a lot of own time as well. I couldn't be out there non stop. That would be horrid.

I must be fun being around because when I'm not there my friends complain that it's simply not as fun when Jimi is not there.

I consider myself an introvert. Being able to communicate is essential to any endeavor. I have worked to get better at it.

I, too, consider myself an introvert but find at times when needed I can also be an extrovert. I prefer the introverted side of myself better.

I started to read an article, awhile back, on iCNN where a woman was trying to explain the life of an introvert. I didn't finish reading it because she started taking about a taxi blocking her in and she was too scared to ask him to move.

I'm an introvert but that doesn't mean I'm scare to deal with people. This was a good read.

Introversion has nothing to do with being unable to be assertive with someone blocking your way ... that's an issue with social phobia or low assertiveness, etc.
Introversion and extroversion exist on a continuum, with most people somewhere closer to the middle (from my reading and observation). I can't stand extreme isolation from people, yet I rate as more introverted.

I am continuumly an introvert.

I'm definitely a great introvert.
I moved to VT years ago, and built a cabin in the woods, and lived in it for several years. I called it "THE HERMITAGE" painted on a sign on a tree I nailed it too. Found that I got along better with wild animals more than city people. I eventually sold my place to go take care of my folks in another state. Now that they are both gone, I can hear the forest for the trees, calling me back.

I've never been one to like idle chit-chat. I enjoy listening to others others converse with ease.

I hate small talk. Can't stand it. Why waste words on it?

I see it is an extrovert gains comfort from other people and an introvert gains comfort from themselves. I feel I am generally an introvert although in social situations I can put on my extrovert hat. I know what you mean about small talk, Black Magic, but I have a new approach to it. I can use small talk to persuade and manipulate people. Now, wait, I am not trying to sound evil here. What I mean is, by pushing certain buttons in people, you can get a reaction. This can actually be fun.

For example: if you are in sales, you are using specific small talk tactics and skills to close the deal. Some salespeople love doing this. I am starting to approach small talk and conversations with people in this manner and it makes it fun. Like if I match their tone, and smile they will smile back. If I agree with them that makes them happy. Learning these skills makes your life so much easier at work and in social situations. I've been reading stuff about this based on NLP, and it gives me a fun purpose when talking to people now.

Sometimes I'm an observer. Sometimes I'm a participant. Usually, a little of both. I'm an only child & learned to entertain myself. I'm an avid reader, for one. I do enjoy my own company. Not in a narcissistic way. I prefer one on one or small groups. Though, I'm fine with more people as well. Maybe some onlies have a different approach, but, I tend to be more of a loner, independent, free spirited & a homebody. Though, part of the latter has been due to health issues.

Mostly I'm an introvert. Quite often friends will say, during visits, "I've been talking about me this whole time and you haven't been able to get a word in edgewise." But I don't really care about talking. If it were up to me I'd never talk at all.

I'm strongly introverted, but when I tell people that, nobody believes me. I worked for years in sales, and so trained myself in exhibiting extrovert qualities, and I'm a great public speaker and I enjoy it. I had to laugh - several years ago I was seriously considering moving 5000 miles to another province since the job prospects are better out there, and when I mentioned this in group therapy, someone said, well if anyone can move, start over, and build a social circle - it's you. I laughed to myself, since I was viewing the prospect with horror and found it funny that I could be perceived so differently than I felt.

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As I have said more than once, I refuse to allow others to define me. While I think I am an introvert, being better at what I believe in is more important.

Introvert doesn't necessarily mean shy or awkward. It just means that you get your energy inward rather than outward. In the US, where people are attention-seeking, loud, and boisterous, introverts are seen as somewhat of an anomaly. I do well giving presentations, I am in sales and succeeding, and I have a crazy sense of humor. I just think that a lot of people gabbing around me is exhausting and I prefer one on one conversations to a huge group. Doesn't mean I am going to blow up a building any time soon.

I'm awkward though. Sometimes I play around with my awkward. It sometimes does hilarious things. Shy I'm not, I was when I was a kid though.

I'm a mix of introvert and extrovert. I love interacting with people and do so frequently, but I enjoy my alone time as well.