Since the introduction of Covid-19, there have been those who were happy to be at home without all the social aspects, and there were those who were going stir-crazy without all the events and socialization. Which category best defines you? As things normalize, and we are once again beginning to resume our normal day to day lives, take a minute, and reflect how phrases like “shelter in place” impacted you. Some people truly thrived, while others couldn’t wait to get back on the social scene.
Extrovert or Introvert: Which One Are You?
So, are you the life of the party or the one who holds the wall up?
Well, before we get into any more details, how about we look at the differences between the two adjectives that describe part of people’s personalities. An introvert is happy being on their own or with a few close friends. On the other hand, an extrovert is a person who loves being around lots of people and can be very outgoing. So maybe you’re wondering why all this matters. It really is more about whether a person is shy or sociable. One of the biggest differences between the two is how the person likes to spend their time. If a person is more comfortable and energetic being alone, introvert. If they live and thrive from being around others, maybe even the center of attention, often, extrovert. But is that really all of it?
Positives of Personalities
Introverts, overall, like to keep to themselves. Like me, although I think I fall under both personality types, like so many people, introverts like things low key. Many people think one is luckier than the other, but each has their own distinctive qualities. Introverts can be low-maintenance and many times highly creative when they have the right surroundings and circumstance. Often, they can focus more deeply and block out most distractions. Introverts can be great decision makers and amazing listeners. Introverts are people who find it easier to recharge their personal and emotional energy in quiet solitude. So, when it seems that they need time away, they find time to decompress away from social situations. Many times, circumstances occur, and people seem to misinterpret introverts who are smiling weirdly or looking serious. This can be misconstrued as being snotty, or cold, when truly the reason may be because the person is highly anxious and doing their best in a nerve-wracking situation to find the calm and fit in.
Introverts can become quickly drained when surrounded by others and might need time to “recover” after social events. Introverts are much more likely to internalize issues, meaning they would prefer to think through problems themselves than talk through them with others. This tendency influences the way they experience emotions—often making them more internally intense and chaotic.
Rumor has it that some people think extroverts have all the fun, get noticed more at their jobs, and are generally happier as a result. Whether people are introverted or extroverted, they can both be happy and have their positive qualities. Introverts may need to find a way to jump out their comfort zone and mesh with the crowds to be able to work on their social skills. One characteristic that introverts bear is overthinking. As a result of their overanalyzing situations they encounter, introverts questioning may lead to a constant fear of failure.
Extroverts are people who thrive on social interaction. This type of person recharges their batteries when they are around other people. In turn, they find it difficult to spend long periods of time alone. Introverts can find it difficult to put their emotions into words. Extroverts rarely keep their feelings to themselves. They tend to express themselves verbally and talk to others about their problems. Unlike most extroverts who thrive on stimulation from and interaction with others, introverts need time to relax and recharge. Introverts like their space and can lose their energy when around too many people.
Most of the time, extroverts thrive more on being around groups, while introverts lose their energy around others. When in the situations, introverts tend to be more independent, they think about what they are going to say before they say it, unlike with most extroverts who may just blurt out what’s on their mind. Introverts have creative minds. Albert Einstein, Rosa Parks, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg are all examples of some of the smartest introverts in history. Extroverts acclimate to the crowd around them and have a way of dominating the ways of the group they belong to, and some of the most famous extroverts in history are Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby, Tom Hanks, and Johnny Depp. Overall, people can have both introverted and extroverted traits and should be proud of and express them.
What if people have both introverted and extroverted characteristics?
But wait, it’s not always this cut and dry. When someone has a mixture, meaning they enjoy their own peace and quiet and love getting together with the gang, they are known as being ambivert. Whether or not they are more introverted or extroverted really depends on the situation they are involved in. Ambiverts are kind of like a chameleon, who by nature, adapts to things and people that come along in their lives better than their counterparts the introverts and extroverts.
People are multifaceted beings, so they can show qualities from both extroverted and introverted personalities. Everyone has their own idiosyncrasies. Introverts like the well-thought-out plans where extroverts love surprises and spur of the moment ideas. No matter which personality type you think you may be, PLEASE remember, everyone Is their own unique self, so don’t feel like you have to change to be like another group or person. You are truly beautiful and amazing just the way you are!!
