Are You in the Introvert Club?
I was standing in Panera Bread the other day, lost in my own little world, oblivious to the world around me, when I felt a tap on my shoulder and I nearly jumped out of my skin. Well, that’s not totally correct … I nearly gifted this person a piece of my mind! Thank goodness, I turned just in time to see that it was my friend Rita, who had broken into my barrier of oblivion. Needless to say, it was a good laugh for both of us. Little did I know that she had been trying to get my attention for some time with no success, so that’s when she decided to tap me on the shoulder … Yikes!
I’m an introvert, that’s no secret to anybody who knows me. I can travel into my own little world at any time and not see or hear anything that is going on around me and be perfectly happy. It is not always easy to interact in the extroverted world as an introvert. Although I have just as much extroverted self as a naturally extroverted person, I just can’t be extroverted for a long period of time. That’s when I tell myself … retreat … retreat!
I often wonder why I get the funny feeling that someone is looking at me. I’ve tried my best to remain invisible. I’ve taken a back row seat, not sitting next to anyone and have compressed myself into what I think is a tiny package so no one will see me. I just want to attend this event and leave. Is that too much to ask?
Here’s another scenario:
Oh no! … Is that person coming my way … do they want to talk to me … what will I say? I better start thinking of something interesting or relevant for a comeback. Should I look at them … NO … I’ll look at my phone and pretend I am responding to something very important. YES, that will do it … they will walk by me. My pulse is racing and I have this ridiculous feeling that I need to escape from this place and do so right this minute!
Have you ever felt like this?
YES – I am an INTROVERT: I am more inclined to enjoy my space alone or with a small group of friends. I need personal space, I don’t like to be crowded and prefer to be the one who initiates interaction with another, not the other way around. (After all, I am plastered up against the wall so tight it would take a paint scraper to get me loose!)
I saw a cartoon on Facebook that said: “I’m the one who goes to a party and makes friends with the dog.” Bingo, that’s me! This cartoon signifies the need for a comfortable energy level and a quiet space.
So guess what: I am normal, along with the other 35-50% of Introverts in the world! It’s a club, but we don’t meet together. Oh my, NO! We meet in separate rooms at separate places …
This just cracks me up because it is so true. I hope you laugh along with me.
By Carolyn Boone
My expertise is in coaching individuals who are struggling with unexpected life challenges and changes: to discover clarity as well as the courage to push through the tough spaces and make the big decisions, to continue moving toward their dreams and goals. We often wrestle with the emotional tug of decision making out of fear and anxiety, because we don’t know the outcome of the decisions we make or how we are going to feel as a result. The future is only revealed to us as we go through the process. We all seek peace and harmony. As we navigate through the challenges in our lives, we need support, encouragement, inspiration and hope that lets us know there is light at the end of the tunnel. We all have an amazing internal potential for success. When given the right kind of support, tools and inspiration, we find that the correct solutions have been within us all along-- We just needed a beacon of light to take the first step.
Yes, I did laugh. Thanks for the article.