Gandhi once said: "In a gentle way, you can shake the world."
Today's society pushes for people to be social, bold, and loud. Popular culture views introversion as a problem that needs to be “fixed.” This is because of the fundamental misunderstanding of introverts.
Introverts are not shy. Some certainly can be, but “shy” and “introvert” are in no way synonyms. Extroverts can be shy. The defining factor of what makes an introvert an introvert is where they draw their energy. Extroverts draw their energy from others, feeding off of excitement from those around them, while introverts draw their energy from themselves, feeding off of solitude.
Better explained, if one goes home after a big party feeling energized, excited, and wide-awake, they are probably an extrovert. If another person leaves the same party early feeling drained and ready for quiet alone time, they are most likely an introvert.
This is not the only indicator of an introvert, but perhaps the most important. After socializing, particularly in a large-group setting, introverts have to “recharge.” This is not necessarily because they are physically tired, but because they are mentally drained. For introverts, what a good night’s sleep does for the body, silence does for the mind. Extroverts often label silence as “awkward” whereas introverts find it quite comfortable. Introverts see the beauty in silence, because they are content with their own thoughts. Introverts have the ability to disappear into their own mind and puzzle over their thoughts for any length of time.
Though it is draining, and often requires mental preparation, introverts still enjoy socializing. However, most introverts prefer small groups to large crowds. And they may stay silent in a group, but become very talkative in deeper, more meaningful one-on-one conversations. Introverts tend to avoid small talk, but are excellent listeners in heartfelt, sincere conversation. Some people may even prefer listening to speaking, and some often choose not to contribute to the conversation unless they feel what they have to say is extremely useful or deep. Introverts aren’t entertained by giving or receiving pointless information, and often won’t repeat themselves if interrupted because it signals an uninterested listener.
For those who aren't as comfortable with speaking, introverts often turn to writing as their preferred form of communication. If someone calls, an introvert may decline answering the phone, but send the caller a text seconds later. Introverts often feel they can express their thoughts better in print than verbally, most of the time because they like to think things out and word them perfectly before they deliver their message, no matter how simple or trivial.
Introverts, simply put, enjoy their own company, which is, for some unfathomable reason, frowned upon by society as a whole. The writer Aldous Huxley phrased it as, “The more powerful and original a mind, the more it will incline towards the region of solitude.” People typically only link successful people with extroversion. Albert Einstein, Eleanor Roosevelt, and, my personal favorite fellow introvert, J.K. Rowling would probably disagree. Introverts, in our gentle way, are quite capable of shaking the world.
