A little self awareness

I found this post on my friend Stacey's blog and it really hit the nail on the head. She talks about how she has always had this battle inside herself between what is normal, how she should be. Looking at popular people or outgoing people maybe and trying to be more like that, more extroverted. I thought, I love when people are so self aware that they can pin point what they are going through that way and share it and in turn help me understand myself a little better. So, I've always tested as an introvert and that to me was like an insult or something. I thought that made me sound nerdy and like a wallflower who was awkward and didn't no how to interact with people or something. This list really helped me put my personality into perspective and knowing other people that I've always looked up to ( like Stacey) have the same personality are in no way dorky losers, I liked it. I felt like this described me really closely. Maybe someone else has the same battle and maybe this little list will help you feel good about who you are and "normal". . .

Myth #1 – Introverts don’t like to talk.
This is not true. Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something to say. They hate small talk. Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won’t shut up for days.
{ True for me. It's so hard for me to talk about nothing. You would think hey you're a girl don't you like to talk just for the sake of talking? Nope. I will never force myself to talk to someone if I genuinely can't think of anything to say}

Myth #2 – Introverts are shy.
Shyness has nothing to do with being an Introvert. Introverts are not necessarily afraid of people. What they need is a reason to interact. They don’t interact for the sake of interacting. If you want to talk to an Introvert, just start talking. Don’t worry about being polite.
{ I actually am fairly shy. I was super shy when I was younger. But it's more this. I really like to observe people first and I kind of assess the situation before I start interacting. Usually I just hope someone will talk to me first}
Myth #3 – Introverts are rude.
Introverts often don’t see a reason for beating around the bush with social pleasantries. They want everyone to just be real and honest. Unfortunately, this is not acceptable in most settings, so Introverts can feel a lot of pressure to fit in, which they find exhausting.
{ So true for me! I just want to get on with it, skip all the stupid questions and just move on to being best friends and getting into the nitty gritty and how you really feel and think about things. The first part of a relationship is so annoying to me.}

Myth #4 – Introverts don’t like people.
On the contrary, Introverts intensely value the few friends they have. They can count their close friends on one hand. If you are lucky enough for an introvert to consider you a friend, you probably have a loyal ally for life. Once you have earned their respect as being a person of substance, you’re in.

{I really can count my friends on one hand I think. It takes alot out of me to be friends with someone because I am always so invested in them and care so much. I would do anything for my friends.}

Myth #5 – Introverts don’t like to go out in public.
Nonsense. Introverts just don’t like to go out in public FOR AS LONG. They also like to avoid the complications that are involved in public activities. They take in data and experiences very quickly, and as a result, don’t need to be there for long to “get it.” They’re ready to go home, recharge, and process it all. In fact, recharging is absolutely crucial for Introverts.
{ I wish I could handle this a little better but I remember my mom stopped throwing big birthday parties for me because I would get such bad anxiety. I'm working on this now as an adult to relax and not become so overwhelmed.}

Myth #6 – Introverts always want to be alone.
Introverts are perfectly comfortable with their own thoughts. They think a lot. They daydream. They like to have problems to work on, puzzles to solve. But they can also get incredibly lonely if they don’t have anyone to share their discoveries with. They crave an authentic and sincere connection with ONE PERSON at a time.

{ I'm such a daydreamer, a very unproductive daydreamer sometimes. One on one conversations are my absolute favorite. I hate, absolutely hate being in groups of three. An even number is better, am I sounding a little nuerotic? I find myself thinking alot too, over thinking things. I have to be careful to not overwhelm myself with my own thoughts and worries}

Myth #7 – Introverts are weird.
Introverts are often individualists. They don’t follow the crowd. They’d prefer to be valued for their novel ways of living. They think for themselves and because of that, they often challenge the norm. They don’t make most decisions based on what is popular or trendy.

{ We may be a little weird, to people that are not like us. I've never really been one to be trendy. If I like it I'll wear it, if I don't I won't. But I also just like to blend in too.}

Myth #8 – Introverts are aloof nerds.
Introverts are people who primarily look inward, paying close attention to their thoughts and emotions. It’s not that they are incapable of paying attention to what is going on around them, it’s just that their inner world is much more stimulating and rewarding to them.

{ oh man we have a really bad rap! I think most of the time I would much rather be with people than with myself but on the other hand if I'm too busy I start to shut down and I get really onery. I have to have to time to process things and have time to be alone}

Myth #9 – Introverts don’t know how to relax and have fun.
Introverts typically relax at home or in nature, not in busy public places. Introverts are not thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies. If there is too much talking and noise going on, they shut down. Their brains are too sensitive to the neurotransmitter called Dopamine. Introverts and Extroverts have different dominant neuro-pathways. Just look it up.

{ I think introverts are just a little more thoughtful and serious. I love to have fun, who doesn't? But I don't need constant stimulation, constant entertainment or whatever like maybe other people do}

Myth #10 – Introverts can fix themselves and become Extroverts.
A world without Introverts would be a world with few scientists, musicians, artists, poets, filmmakers, doctors, mathematicians, writers, and philosophers. That being said, there are still plenty of techniques an Extrovert can learn in order to interact with Introverts. (Yes, I reversed these two terms on purpose to show you how biased our society is.) Introverts cannot “fix themselves” and deserve respect for their natural temperament and contributions to the human race. In fact, one study (Silverman, 1986) showed that the percentage of Introverts increases with IQ.

{Amen! Too bad I'm not really a cool introvert who become a painter or a scientist but I'm okay with being the way I am. It's different. It may be hard for people to "get it" sometimes but now you know, we aren't trying to be rude, we like people, we are great friends, and we're very self aware.

The end.