Understanding an Introvert

So, I just found out some valuable info about myself. I am an introvert ....

I have thought there was something wrong with me ever since I was a kid, seriously, but couldn't figure it out. I am 32 years old now, have been to a shrink and that did nothing for me. I stumbled across this "myth" list today and I realized that I fit every point to a tee! I can't believe I hadn't found this information before, but it makes sense because I have never really had anyone around that cared enough to help me through stuff... have always had to hit things head on and always by myself. That is, until I found my wife about 6 years ago...

So I wanted to share this info. Maybe it will help someone out there, maybe it will just click and make sense like it did to me. I know what I have been through, thoughts in my own head that i just am not like everyone else and there must be something psychologically wrong with me. And, the fact that a shrink couldn't help, I got to the point where I knew I had to just accept myself and live my life this way. Well, I feel free now ... other people ARE like me and I can now figure out how to cope and deal.... I don't need to "live with it" anymore.

I know this is kind of an odd thread but if I can help just 1 person out in the City then this post is worth it. Please no smart-ass remarks, lets keep things civil here!

Myth's about Introverts:

Myth #1 – Introverts don’t like to talk.
This is not true. Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something to say. They hate small talk. Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won’t shut up for days.

Myth #2 – Introverts are shy.
Shyness has nothing to do with being an Introvert. Introverts are not necessarily afraid of people. What they need is a reason to interact. They don’t interact for the sake of interacting. If you want to talk to an Introvert, just start talking. Don’t worry about being polite.

Myth #3 – Introverts are rude.
Introverts often don’t see a reason for beating around the bush with social pleasantries. They want everyone to just be real and honest. Unfortunately, this is not acceptable in most settings, so Introverts can feel a lot of pressure to fit in, which they find exhausting.

Myth #4 – Introverts don’t like people.
On the contrary, Introverts intensely value the few friends they have. They can count their close friends on one hand. If you are lucky enough for an introvert to consider you a friend, you probably have a loyal ally for life. Once you have earned their respect as being a person of substance, you’re in.

Myth #5 – Introverts don’t like to go out in public.
Nonsense. Introverts just don’t like to go out in public FOR AS LONG. They also like to avoid the complications that are involved in public activities. They take in data and experiences very quickly, and as a result, don’t need to be there for long to “get it.” They’re ready to go home, recharge, and process it all. In fact, recharging is absolutely crucial for Introverts.

Myth #6 – Introverts always want to be alone.
Introverts are perfectly comfortable with their own thoughts. They think a lot. They daydream. They like to have problems to work on, puzzles to solve. But they can also get incredibly lonely if they don’t have anyone to share their discoveries with. They crave an authentic and sincere connection with ONE PERSON at a time.

Myth #7 – Introverts are weird.
Introverts are often individualists. They don’t follow the crowd. They’d prefer to be valued for their novel ways of living. They think for themselves and because of that, they often challenge the norm. They don’t make most decisions based on what is popular or trendy.

Myth #8 – Introverts are aloof nerds.
Introverts are people who primarily look inward, paying close attention to their thoughts and emotions. It’s not that they are incapable of paying attention to what is going on around them, it’s just that their inner world is much more stimulating and rewarding to them.

Myth #9 – Introverts don’t know how to relax and have fun.
Introverts typically relax at home or in nature, not in busy public places. Introverts are not thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies. If there is too much talking and noise going on, they shut down. Their brains are too sensitive to the neurotransmitter called Dopamine. Introverts and Extroverts have different dominant neuro-pathways. Just look it up.

Myth #10 – Introverts can fix themselves and become Extroverts.
A world without Introverts would be a world with few scientists, musicians, artists, poets, filmmakers, doctors, mathematicians, writers, and philosophers. That being said, there are still plenty of techniques an Extrovert can learn in order to interact with Introverts. (Yes, I reversed these two terms on purpose to show you how biased our society is.) Introverts cannot “fix themselves” and deserve respect for their natural temperament and contributions to the human race. In fact, one study (Silverman, 1986) showed that the percentage of Introverts increases with IQ.

EDIT: I found this info at http://www.carlkingdom.com/10-myths-about-introverts

 

Thanks Exodus! I agree, may be a reason a lot of us use Cannabis?!

Yeah, on here I am able to type what is goin on inside my mind, not the same in "real life"!

 

I agree, I typically do not like to be "classified" as one thing or another but in this case it really helped me to figure out that I am an introvert.

 

^^ .. "or clap quietly" ... LOL!

 

I get what your saying with the "universe of your own mind", I just can't put it into my own words ... but, yeah!

 

And that's the main part of this. I used to think I was "unique", negatively so. But, I have realized that I am like other's.... and in this context being like other's is the important part. I don't need to feel alone anymore! Thanks for your info Autechra ... and from what I have read it seems more like an estimated 25% of folks are introverts, but how can they really pin that number down anyways.