Introvert, Extrovert, Both, or It Depends?

Lilly2 · Nov 09, 2019, 11:40 AM

Are you an introvert, extrovert, both an introvert and extrovert, or "it depends..."?

Take the poll and elaborate on your answer in subsequent postings (that is, if you feel comfortable in doing so).

Lilly2 · Nov 09, 2019, 11:54 AM

I took a few tests in the past, one that was disseminated by a pastoral counselor, the others online. The majority results concluded that I am both an introvert and an extrovert. I'm not sure how far that diverges from "it depends," but there are times when my chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) prevents me from doing extroverted things like going out and socializing, having the energy to socialize, etc. Sometimes our finances get in the way of that, too. There are many factors that contribute to whether or not we socialize. But our key personality preferences tend to fall within the realm of introversion, extroversion, or both.

I'm sure that trauma can also cause interference with our preferences in this regard.

In many ways, all of the above plus some unmentionables have caused me to be more introverted than I would have liked. I wished that I had the energy and courage to be more extroverted, that is, if I didn't have PTSD or CFS.

Then there are situational factors, such as whether an event is safe, new to the person experiencing it, etc. It's easy to be shy when meeting new people, for instance, and therefore more closed off. It's also easier to be more extroverted with friends and/or family whom you've built a rapport with, and whom you trust. It's much harder with strangers, those who have wronged us in the past, etc. I'd say that "it depends..." would fall under this category when someone isn't aware of their preference and/or when their preference has been hindered by societal factors of some kind.

For those of us who are both, I would assume that we need a balance between alone time and socialization time - that is our preference, when all else is not being considered (such as our mental disabilities). We tend to want a good work-life balance that includes "me time" and "other time."

For those who are inclined to be more extraverted (and not based on our mental disorders), it is because we feel fueled when spending time with other people, and the only time we want alone is when we're in need of rest and/or privacy. Even then, we crave the next social event.

For those of us who are introverted, I'm assuming that our energy gets depleted around others, so we limit our time with others (even though we need human contact, that is, when setting aside our mental disorders) so that we can refuel by spending alone time. We mostly like working alone, or doing certain projects alone, such as those who are artists, engineers, accountants, etc. Then again, those fields could also include extroverts, too, but it's the only example I can think of at the moment.

There might be better explanations from others here, so I'm only offering the explanations I, myself, have experienced and/or witnessed. Being that I scored on both in the past, I'm not at the extremes of either, but I'm somewhere in the middle. Physically and socially, however, I'm more introverted these days because of my medical and mental health conditions. Still, as you can tell, I post a lot on PC, which demonstrates my extroversion, too. I also enjoy my own home projects, apart from my aspirations to do research and collaborate with other professionals one day.

So this is me - an extrovert-introvert mix.

lightly toasted · Nov 09, 2019, 12:02 PM

I'm a social introvert. I like people, and meeting new people, I'm demonstrative, but I need a lot of time alone to recharge. I envy extroverts, I wish I had more energy to socialise.

divine1966 · Nov 09, 2019, 12:03 PM

Generally speaking I am an extrovert and am very social, but I do like my privacy at times. So I voted both.

Mountaindewed · Nov 09, 2019, 12:45 PM

I am an introvert possibly with traits of selective mutism. I am a complete extrovert on the internet though.

Fuzzybear · Nov 09, 2019, 04:38 PM

I think I can be both, or either. It definitely is related to the situation etc.

Taylor27 · Nov 10, 2019, 10:40 AM

I can be both it depends on whats going on and how much anxiety i feel. It varies everyday. I do like allot of privacy so i'm a bit more introvert then extrovert. I am more extrovert online then face to face.

Sunflower123 · Nov 10, 2019, 01:56 PM

I need a lot of quiet time to recharge but I can be either based on the situation and the company.

lizardlady · Nov 10, 2019, 08:20 PM

I voted "it depends" I tend toward introverted
I need my alone time to recharge. Being around a lot of people drains me. On the flip side, if I spend too much time alone it feeds my depression.

LilyMop · Nov 10, 2019, 09:34 PM

I’m the same as most people posted here. I need down time to recharge but I also like to meet and talk to people. I like meaningful conversations and connections with others. I’m not good at small talk.Sometimes I do wish I had the energy of an extrovert but I get tired too easily to ever be an extrovert.

mote.of.soul · Nov 14, 2019, 03:54 AM

I think I'm basically an extroverted person whose spirit has been dampened somewhat. Yes, I really do think that.

TheSadGirl · Nov 16, 2019, 09:28 AM

Extrovert for sure. I enjoy chatting with and meeting new people. While overwhelmed in crowds, I thrive in regular social settings.

Ford Puma · Nov 24, 2019, 04:40 AM

I would say an introvert. I have never really felt comfortable around people. Sometimes I ever think there are far too many people in the world today. It is all looking just so crowded.

Nov 24, 2019, 07:34 AM

I wrote "both", but I lean more to the extrovert side. I do enjoy (and need) alone time. I'll also say that it can be hard to really show the "deep me", but I easily show the outer me easily.