The traditional dictionary describes an introvert as a shy, reticent person. In recent years, we’ve learned that introverts can be every part the life and soul of the party just like extroverts. The main difference between introverts and extroverts is that the former personality type struggles to spend extended periods of time around others and genuinely love their own company. This has earned ‘hermits’ the reputation as being anti-social, cold and selfish when in fact, they get lonely too and crave companionship as much as they desire time alone hiding in their hermit shells. Read on to discover a few clear signs you’re an introvert.
14 Sure-Fire Signs You’re an Introvert
#1. You love spending time alone.
When you reply to Saturday night invitations from friends with ‘sorry I have plans,’ the game plan in question is usually staying at home alone reading, writing, watching movies or enjoying other solo activities.
#2. You’re better alone.
You do your best thinking and work when you’re alone because solitude gives you space and peace to decompress.
#3. You have a narrator.
You have an inner voice narrating every aspect of your life which is difficult to switch off.
#4. You don’t sleep much.
The constant over-thinking and inner narrator battle for your attention, so you struggle to fall and stay asleep.
#5. You have to activate your inner socialite.
Spending time in social settings making small talk or networking isn’t your idea of fun, but you do it sometimes because you know you have to. If you find yourself needing a pep talk to activate your inner social butterfly, you’re probably an introvert.
#6. You have a love/hate relationship with attention.
You’re never first to volunteer to speak in front of people. Articulating in public will either arouse your anxiety or summon your inner alter ego depending on the day, and the circumstances.
#7. You’re better at expressing your emotions and thoughts via written words.
Texting or emailing is a far preferred method of communication to speaking to people face-to-face or via the phone.
#8. You don’t pick up the phone.
The idea of spending hours making small talk on the phone with even your BFF is displeasing to you. You’re likely known within your social circle as being the person who never answers their phone. You’ve been accused of ghosting multiple times and your relationships are often strained because of this.
#9. Event invitations aren’t exciting to you.
While all of your friends are buzzing with excitement about an upcoming friend’s milestone birthday celebrations, you’re the least excited. On the inside, you’re just hoping you feel in the mood to be around people on the day. It’s nothing personal to your friend or any reflection of how much you care about them. You don’t have a lust for parties like everyone else, or patience for idle chitchat so commonly associated with meeting new people.
#10. Socializing depletes your energy levels.
You can party with the best of them when you’re in the mood, but that’s preferably with only your closest friends at your home or theirs so that you can easily escape when you’re all ‘people’d out.’
#11. You live in your head.
You live in your own world. You don’t like to let others in, so you struggle to get close to people.
#12. You’re a great listener.
You don’t feel the need to impress others or fill every conversation silence with small talk, so you’re generally good at listening.
#13. You circle is (very) small.
You’re close to just one or two people, and consider everyone else to be an acquaintance rather than a friend.
#14. You long for meaningful relationships.
As much as you flourish in isolation, you feel equally happy when you find someone who understands you who you can interact with meaningfully.
