On One Hand...You're an introvert through and through, along with about half the population. You gain energy from within yourself instead of from interaction with others in the outside world. You need time to make decisions and mentally rehearse what you want to say, instead of making decisions quickly and thinking out loud. Most importantly? You have a private self that is only revealed to your inner circle, the people you trust - which can make it hard to want to be social when you don't know many people. The people who don't understand might peg you as aloof or shy. However, you know that shyness and introversion are not the same thing. Shyness is the fear of negative judgment, and introversion is a preference for quiet, minimally stimulating environments - your thoughts and ideas, the way you react to a piece of music or a string of words, that is stimulating enough. You do your best work in your head, with deep reflection. You are truly your own best friend. On The Other Hand... Just because you're a bona-fide introvert doesn't mean you want to shun socializing. And you know, introvert, that being your personality type doesn't mean you're necessarily quiet or shy. As an introvert, you truly enjoy being around others and benefit most from deep connections. Small talk doesn't really interest you and the quantity of connections aren't so much as important to you as the quality. You get high off of those instances that just seem to click - and even though you are at your best when given time alone, sometimes you feel your trait is shutting you off from a whole world that awaits. The Balancing Act: Introversion and extroversion are not black and white; every single person has a bit of both inside them. The trick is not to try and change yourself into an extrovert or go against what feels true to you, it's to know how to play up your strengths no matter the situation. We live in a culture that pays the most attention to extroversion - one that tells us that the signs of a thriving personal life are having a large social circle, bustling days filled with activity, and jam-packed nights filled with soirees. As an introvert, going to an event or getting yourself into a social situation "just because" is usually a set up for disaster, guilt, and low self-confidence. In reality, we actually live in a culture that is filled with scenarios made for introverts: one on one interactions, solo commutes, independent choices. Pop culture caters to extroverts, so you may believe you're the odd (wo)man out. But introverts are the ones who instinctively know how to navigate the deepest of waters in any social scenario. You'll gain the most value from your social activities if you not only recognize your strengths, but find a purpose behind why you're going. Because you, dear Introvert, have so much to add to the world, and every social situation can benefit from your insight and worldview. Here are eight ways to stay social, this holiday season and beyond, while still being true to who you are at your core:
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