I was going to do another couple of posts on Introversion, but there is just so much I want to share with all you introverts and extroverts out there in hopes of understanding one another a little better. I decided to sum it up with a few graphics, some key points, and a heap of encouragement to dig a little deeper into this topic if it’s of interest to you. It’s worth it for sure 🙂

Let’s get on with the show… SOLITUDE is key for introverts.

We simply need a break, need to be left alone. And sometimes it’s our own thought whirlwinds we need a break from. Sometimes it’s the noise of the world in general. Sometimes it’s all the responsibilities that crowd out any semblance of peace and calm. Sometimes we need 5 minutes. Sometimes it’s 5 hours or even 5 days (I’ve yet to take THAT long of a break – I think that would drive even me a little loopy). And because we’re all at different points on the introvert/extrovert scale, our time requirements and circumstances for solitude will all be different. So cool how none are the same, eh? No fitting into molds here. Not a chance.

Solitude doesn’t necessarily mean a chair on the dock by the lake in the middle of nowhere. It can mean a 20-min Netflix show. It can mean a few minutes with a good book. It can mean a glance out the window. A bike ride, a walk, a movie, a sewing project, a daydream, an idea, playing a few songs on a musical instrument, or listening to a few of your favourite songs. It’s a break from what is draining you, a chance to reconnect with that inner side, a grounding moment.

Now, we can’t stay locked away in our heads or in our homes or in our quiet places for too long. At some point we’ll need to step back into the “noise” of our lives. I love some noise as long as I know there will also be quiet. Again, this can be mental noise or social noise, and mental quiet or social quiet.

When it’s time to step out, remember you can be yourself. If extrovert qualities are needed for the occasion, you can pretend for a while even. I’ve picked up some small talk pointers and learned alot about social interaction with crowds and people much “louder” than myself from being married to Josh for 17 & 1/2 years. He’s a pretty big extrovert, big personality, fills a room without saying a word, loves it when people are hanging on his every word, has a million stories to tell, can shmooze with the best of them, etc. It’s actually one of the things I think is great about him, as long as I’m not expected to BE him. And that was HUGE for me to learn – I can be myself, can socialize with him in my own ways, leave much earlier than him, and it’s all just fine. Really. I’m still good, he’s still good. We are just very different. And I like it that way, as long as we can accept each other for who we are – plain and simple. For the most part I am fascinated by Josh and all his extrovert ways. He’s quite entertaining to say the least 🙂

And that about sums up the main concepts I wanted to share with you – there’s SO MUCH more to learn about the topic if you’re interested. There’s a heap of information out there now – I guess the introverts have started to share more now that social media gives them the space they need between themselves and their audiences 🙂

If you have an introvert loved one in your life, this is very important to remember…