I had a conversation with a friend the other day, and it hit me to post this. Often I have heard from people, “I am shy, so I am an introvert,” or “He is the life of the part; he must be an extrovert.” But the exciting thing about this is that it just isn’t necessarily true!
People can be outgoing or shy, bother are fine. But those are personality traits and sometimes personal choices. The problem with this “X equals Y” is that it installs a belief in us. Let me explain…
The key difference between introverts and extroverts is how they “recharge.” Introverts like to be on their own, in their place, or sometimes just quiet. That is how they recharge their social batteries. I’ve had enough of people for a while; I’m going to hide. 🙂 Extroverts are the opposite; they go out with friends, go to clubs, or party to recharge that same social battery.
It’s important to know what you are and how you prefer to recharge. Like all things with personality and the mind, these are not absolutes but just guidelines.
This can be a problem due to embedded “rules” that come with these identities. It may keep you in your shell and prevent you from expressing yourself. Or it could cause flamboyant or wreckless behavior because you are trying to overdue the ‘extrovert.’ I know a lot of people that can be the life of the party but prefer to sit quietly in their own time.
Which are you? Do you fill the room when you are in a group? Do you like to sit in comfort to recharge or go out to the clubs?