Being an Introvert...

...this pretty much sums up my life...introverted cat tumblr.  Let me explain.

I am a massive introvert.

Here is what an introvert is not:
Shy (a lot of introverts are shy, but being an introvert that doesn't mean you are shy; being shy doesn't necessarily mean you are an introvert...)
Social awkward
Anti social
Rude
Quiet/not talkative

Introverts are people who draw energy from alone time.  They may still like hanging out with friends, but it drains their energy.  They need time by themselves to recharge.  They also take a while to warm up to people they've just met.  They like to sit back and observe until they feel like they understand the group dynamic.  This is because introverts have a naturally high base level if internal arousal...translation: their minds are alway going a million miles an hour and they tend to be high strung.  Any external stimulation just adds to that, and it gets exhausting.  (Compare that to extroverts: they draw energy from being with people.  They have a relatively low base level of arousal (they crave external stimulation).)  On the up side, introverts tend to be self reflective, thoughtful, and independent.

This totally describes me.  I am not...well, ok, I am a little socially awkward, and I do get some social anxiety sometimes, but over all I can make small talk with the best of them.  But it makes me so, so tired.  I really enjoy a night out with friends, but I also absolutely love hanging out at home by myself with the radio and a good book.  If I don't get some quiet alone time I turn in to an ornery raging beast, and no one wants that.  My best friend from my undergrad said that when she first met me she thought I was a total snob because I didn't talk to anyone and I never hung out with people outside of class.  I was just trying to figure out the interpersonal relationships going on.  She is not the first person to have that impression of me at first.  Often, once I get to know people, they are surprised that I crack jokes and goof around.  I also am totally fine doing things alone: grocery shopping, going to the movies, etc.

Being in a totally new place were I don't know anyone has really been taxing to my little introverted heart.  Lucky for me, I am getting to know people better, and am building a good community.  I also don't feel lonely very often, and I don't mind taking care of errands my self.  I also live alone, so I'm guaranteed at least a few hours of me time a day.

Be kind to the introverts in your life!  It's not that we don't like you, or that we don't want to hang out, and we are not snobby.  Be patient when your introvert doesn't want to go out every weekend; try to understand when they say they are too tired to do something.  And don't take it personally...it's not you, it's us...really!