Are You an Introvert or Extrovert?

[LogDog75]

I'm an introvert. Some people think introverts are people who are shy or don't like to socialize but that's not the case. There are different types of introverts and it's not uncommon for introverts to have characteristics of each type. For me, being an introvert means I'm comfortable with myself and by myself. I socialize with others but I don't need to be constantly around or in touch with others. I can work well by myself or with others. I've been in leadership positions as well as in positions where I was a follower. I feel as an introvert, I am adaptable to different people and situations.

SO which are you, an introvert or extrovert?

[oregonjen]

1. Very much an introvert. Love to socialize, but

need my battery recharged in solitude. Love to make plans, but if they get cancelled, I’m relieved.

[surrealAmerican]

2. It's not really a binary characteristic.

I'm more introverted than most people, but you don't really find people who never want to be around any other people, or who always need to be around many other people.

[get the red out]

3. Big time introvert

I always have been despite 60 years of being told I need to "get over that backwardsness". I like spending time with people I like but I LOVE being the only human living with two spoiled dogs.

[SARose]

4. More introverted the older I get

At almost 75, I no longer have time for people, places and things that don’t make me happy or bring me joy.

I am perfectly content to hang out on the porch with hubs and the weiner dog. 😬

We used to have dinner parties, family for every holiday - not anymore. No more drama - I am done with that.

[KPN]

5. Introvert, but like you, I am sociable and like socializing with others -- especially one on one, but need

my time alone. I typically find being in large groups exhausting and, in infrequent cases, even somewhat claustrophobic -- especially over long, uninterrupted time-spans. Also like you, I have held or been in many leadership positions both at work and in community service over my 74 years.

I came to appreciate introversion as a whole many years ago. I can't imagine being anything else and am quite comfortable with what and who I am.

[LogDog75]

12. We are very similar

I don't like groups or crowds but I can put up with them for a time. I hate long meetings where things get off topic. Most meetings tend to be 50% social and 50% business. In meetings I lead, I imposed a time limit to keep everyone focused on the topic(s) at hand. Whenever one of my meetings or one I'm attending goes off track, I'd announce in a loud voice "MRA" and when someone asks what that is I'd answer "Moving Right Along."

I too came to my introversion years ago and now it's "How soon before I can leave for home." I really enjoy "my time" of being alone. I can think better, get more accomplished, and feel recharged.

[Jim__]

6. Carl Jung said something like: Extroverts get their energy from (being around) other people,

... introverts get their energy from (being around) ideas.

I may not have that quite the way he said it, but, I am an introvert, and I've always thought he was right.

[sestina]

7. Introvert

Everything you said applies. I can socialize, have fun, and carry on conversations, but I value my time alone to recharge afterwards. I seek out things that soothe my soul and heal my heart - poetry, music, art.
I'm confortable with who I am and how I am.

[anciano]

8. Introvert....

the older I get, the more I value my time alone.

[Midnight Writer]

9. I am an introvert to the extreme. I like people, but I hate to deal with them. I find it very draining.

I spent years of my live "putting myself out there" in order to "cure" my introversion, but it did not go away.

Now, in retirement, I may go for weeks without talking to another person. And it turns out that is my happy place.

[ProfessorGAC]

10. EXTROVERT

I used all caps on purpose, I'm so extroverted! Mixed case wouldn't be enough.

[rzemanfl]

11. No "per" option. Is that intended to exclude many MAGATS, or just an oversight?

[TommieMommy]

13. Introvert. I'm social with a few people. I'm very comfortable being alone.

And my 2 cats watching the birds and squirrels in the yard 😁

[Dorothy V]

14. I have no problems striking up convos with complete strangers, but I also treasure my alone time.

I have never really thought of myself as either an introvert or an extrovert. I seem to just go with whatever's going on. Oh, well ....

[Mad_Dem_X]

15. Introvert

I've become more outspoken as I've gotten older, but I'm still quite introverted. I only come out of my shell once I'm comfortable around another person.

[electric_blue68]

16. Ambivert (a mix): 2/3 Extrovert, 1/3 Introvert

I started reading about all this when a relately newer friend called herself an introvert, explained stuff to me etc.

I do get energy from being out on the streets of NYC (not when overcrowded). It's almost an unconscious thing. Covid was painful staying stuck inside! Introverts were often happy.

I also get energy from crowds. Give me a rock concert (particularly w friends, too)!
A NYC Ticker Tape Parade! 😄 🎉
I've seen the Original Moon Landing Astros, John Glenn after his space ride at 80 yrs old. Nelson Mandela. The Yankees. The Mets. Wheeeee!
The funniest, cool experience of them: I was going northward through the crowd just passing the original WTC block but catty-corner across street. I ran into my sister who was heading westward toward the WTC; right at the corner! A million+ people, and we bump into each! 😄🥰

I'm also comfortable reading a book at home for hours. Making art, making jewelry, doing yarn craft for hours. Sitting in a public park quietly by myself.
These are more introverted activities.

[bif]

17. Both. Depends on the situation.

Not a fan of parties and I'm just fine hanging around the house all day. But I volunteer as a greeter at an aquarium. I enjoy sharing the history of the building and answering visitor's questions. And I did history tours in old Ford Model A's for a couple years, which I really enjoyed doing.

[womanofthehills]

18. Extrovert - but love being home alone gardening & making art

When with friends and my bookclub - I have to remind myself not to talk too much and then I leave thinking I did talk too much. I love to research & have researched for lawyers - so I can be a bit of a know it all. Now, with Groc 3 - my mind is filled with amazing info I want to pass on - but I need to talk less.

My boyfriend is an introvert - so I do a larger percentage of the talking. I try to ask people more questions about themselves to combat this. However, I have a grandaughter who definitely out talks me by 10. When we are together, I barely get to talk.

[Aristus]

19. I'm pretty much an introvert.

So much so that I was overjoyed the very first time I saw the humorous (but true) meme stating: "Stop telling introverts to come out of their shells and be more sociable! I never hear anyone telling extroverts to be more quiet and reserved."

I'm friendly and outgoing when I'm at work at the clinic. It's an important part of the job, getting patients to open up and to trust me. But that's work, and it's exhausting. I'm cool with going to parties and other social occasions as long as I'm with my wife. She's the extrovert; she carries the weight of the sociability, making it easier for me.

That's why I love socializing online, especially here on DU, among people I trust, and can open up to.

[ailsagirl]

20. Dyed in the wool introvert n/t

[Clouds Passing]

21. Was an extrovert, now an introvert.

[catbyte]

22. I'm a hardcore introvert. Small talk actually physically exhausts me.

I breezed through the Covid lockdown, and I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I was a bit disappointed when things started opening up again.

I'm not a Ted Kaczinski-level hermit, but I do enjoy my alone time. And I do go out regularly with close friends, but I'm borderline antisocial. I prefer my own company, or my cats and very close friends.

I've been this way since I was a kid. I grew up in a neighborhood full of kids, and I enjoyed playing with them, but I still remember that feeling of relief I'd get when it was time to go home and I could go into my own room. I was an only child, but all the other kids had siblings they had to share a room with, and that seemed like hell to me.

[zanana1]

23. I'm BI

I can be both at times.

[area51]

24. Introvert. n/t