Being Introverted...

[Fail_safe21]

Hi guys.

I was wondering how many people on CAA are introverted? Being an introvert means spending more time for yourself than with other people - Sort of like the opposite of being outgoing (extroverted). I myself like to spend time doing things by myself and it can be a distraction when I am among crowds. However, I am social only when I need to be as too much time with the crowd can exhaust me pretty quickly.

I am one to believe that introversion does not equal being "anti-social", but it seems that people I know tend to think that about me.

Probably because I leave an hour after the party begins.

[Slater]

yeah ^^;
I'm kinda like that... shy...

[bigsleepj]

I'm introverted as well. Given the correct subject I can talk for some time and I love giving sarcastic comments. But other than that I like keeping to myself

[Saint Kevin]

Guilty as charged. I'm a total introvert, but can be called on somewhat reliably to feign confidence and try and make conversation at times. I think you learn to get out of your comfort zone more and more as you grow older, and I think God wants us at the edge of our comfort zones and is willing to help us make one small step at a time. Take heart, people (though not all) will care what you have to say, and will like you when they actually get to know you better. God made us to be relational creatures in relationship to one another, so don't stop trying.

[~Natsumi Lam~]

im very introverted. Now i am anyways, i wasnt always...

~NL~

[FarmGirl]

So they do have a name for it...
That's the way I am. Either on the comp or in my room, reading, a large percentage of the time.
I'm trying to be more outgoing (any public-speaking skills are slaughtered because of the shy-factor), but the only way I'm going to do it is with God. Like Saint Kevin said about comfort zones.

[Wise Dragon]

I usually dont talk much in real life and I Keep to myself. Im trying to be more outgoing on here though; but its still kinda hard.

[Warrior4Christ]

I'm introverted as well. Given the correct subject I can talk for some time and I love giving sarcastic comments. But other than that I like keeping to myself

This describes me well too.

One time in church the pastor was talking about how God made people different (something along those lines), and then he said "Hands up who's an introvert". I thought it was a joke, so I started laughing.
Then I realised no-one else was laughing and it was just me... (does anyone else find it funny?)

[Artist4Jesus89]

i shall confess i am i spend most of my day in my room watching tv, drawing, video games, or more recently sewing i dont know why but evey since i turned 14 (and got a tv in my room) i just dont seem to hang out with my fam anymore but yeah i want to theres just nothing to do.
I am also very shy so that must be why i am so introverted.

[Icarus]

"I'm friendly, just not social."

[uc pseudonym]

I am introverted by the technical definition, which is that one is energized by time spent alone, and drained by social interaction (though the invtrovert may enjoy it).

However, that doesn't fit me perfectly, as can be expected. With people I want to be my friends, I don't find it at all draining to be with them. It is only with people I find annoying that I find myself wanting some time alone. Similarly, it isn't as if I really need daily quiet time, but I have no problem with isolation (this is also true over longer periods, though I haven't tested for an extended time).

I do not really fit the introvert stereotype, which is shy and socially-awkward. Generally speaking, however, I say fairly little until I find a worthwhile discussion.

[Alice]

Kinda introverted, yeah... It's easier online, though.

[Tarnish]

*raises hand* I'm introverted!!
I despise social gatherings and generally being around people. I've had bad experiences

[Nate]

I'm completely and totally introverted, 100%. Social stuff is NOT my bag.

[agasfas]

Yes and no.

I like time to myself, just to sit back and relax. I dont' really care for parties or large social gatherings... But at the same time, I don't push people out, or avoid them. I'm more on the shy type, but if I know someone, I'm really interactive/social. Around friends or co-workers I'm always joking and laughing. But outside that, I'm a quiet shy type of person.

[Dunedan]

I'm extremely introverted, but I have a secondary personality that comes out sometimes and I act cool and am really popular. Sometimes. It only happens a couple times a year, though.

The Sea Bass Cometh.

[Jaltus-bot]

I am somewhat extroverted, quiet and reserved most of the time, and feel a tad clostrophobic if a crowd is big enough and tightly packed enough. I have used the internet to substitute real interpersonal interaction at times because otherwise after while I feel depressed. I'm definately not a total extrovert though.

[Azier the Swordsman]

I generally prefer being alone. But I don't lack self confidence, and I don't let people walk all over me. And I don't like being alone all the time; I love hanging out with friends whenever possible. Basically; I'm half and half.

[ShiroiHikari]

I'm an introvert and I've always been that way. Being around people I don't know or don't like is very exhausting for me. People are just...draining. I don't get drained around my friends though.

I think the hardest part about being an introverted person is trying to get your extroverted boy/girlfriend to understand that you don't get energy from socializing like they do.

Also, I prefer not to talk around strangers because I always end up saying something stupid every time I open my mouth. But if you don't talk, people think you're rude. So it's one or the other-- look stupid, or come off as rude. :\

[mitsuki lover]

I took the Okcupid Scientific 70 Question Test based on Briggs-Meyers
yesterday and came out as an INJF,this is the Counselor version of
Idealist.The I stands for Introverted.So yeah not only am I introverted
but also a bit of an Idealist to boot.
I would really rather play with my cat or watch an anime DVD or read
a good book then go out in public.
This is probably why it's taking so long to find Miss Right.

[That Dude]

I'm partially introverted...I'm not a fan of crowds and whatnot but I don't really mind being around people either. I'd say I'm an introverted extrovert.

[Fail_safe21]

I am introverted by the technical definition, which is that one is energized by time spent alone, and drained by social interaction (though the invtrovert may enjoy it)...

...I do not really fit the introvert stereotype, which is shy and socially-awkward.

True, a lot of people confuse introversion with being quiet and shy. I personally know a few introverted people who love to interact at parties, yet feel they have to leave home early and relax.

Introverts recharge their energy by being by themselves and extroverts recharge by being with people. I'm not sure, but I think the reason is more how each of us are built physiologically and that each person leans toward either side of the spectrum.

[Myoti]

I'm typically too shy and lazy to go out and do anything, but if I get into, I'm good, so I'm a sort of half-introvert.

[Warrior4Christ]

I took the Okcupid Scientific 70 Question Test based on Briggs-Meyers
yesterday and came out as an INJF,this is the Counselor version of
Idealist.The I stands for Introverted.So yeah not only am I introverted
but also a bit of an Idealist to boot.
I would really rather play with my cat or watch an anime DVD or read
a good book then go out in public.
This is probably why it's taking so long to find Miss Right.

I'm an ISTJ. (I think the correct order of yours is INFJ.)

The definition I've heard is the introverts process things internally, whereas extroverts process things externally (eg. "thinking aloud").

[Lunis]

Certain circumstances led me to become an introvert.

For one, we moves so much, it was hard to separate from my best friends. On a certain move, I never found a friend at all. Acquaintences, yes. But the one huge thing that hinders me from having friends is that it is extremely hard for me to fit in if I'm the newbie. If I'm the more known, more experienced person in the group, I thrive. Just like in Arizona. There was a whole extended family of girls who were my friends. I was taller than them, older than all but one, and knew more about the world than them. I thrived. But then another girl came in who was the girls' friend a long time before me. I got defensive and a little jealous. As if she was going to steal my only friends. I'm weird like that.

Another thing is that I'm different than most people. Not interested in the popular things of interest. So it makes finding people with my interests harder.

And the last thing is my self esteem issues. I suck at being social. I think I just irritate everyone. That they're nice to me because I'm a charity case. ...Well, not everyone. I can tell my closest friends like me.

I used to be really bold and outgoing. I miss those good old days. Where I was one of the most popular kids in my class. People thought I was funny, and they understood me... I love making people laugh. It's a shame I'm always too shy, now, to be goofy.

It's so strange, though, because I intentionally aviod trying to make friends. Even though I want them. *sigh* Maybe I'm not a true introvert. I'm just messed up.

Argh. Whenever I get on this sort of topic, I get all angsty. Sorry. I want lots of good friends. I just...suck too much to make many.

[Warrior4Christ]

Well, there's three pages full of people who feel the same way .

[Nate]

I'm an ISTJ. (I think the correct order of yours is INFJ.)

I'm an INTP. INTPs comprise less than 2% of society. People just have never met anyone like me, statistically speaking, so I'm weird to them.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

ive become more social over the years ^^ I guess cause of church! (well my youth group really, and drama team and speaking publically)

[shooraijin]

"I'm friendly, just not social."

I think that really sums it up.

Actually, on the Meyers-Briggs, I test as ENFJ. However, most personality descriptions will note that ENFJs tend to be the most reserved of the extroverts, and people who know me would probably agree. I'm much better one on one, and I like people, but I do very poorly in groups (especially where the encounter is unstructured ... Mithrandir calls me "task oriented" for this reason).

The Internet has become the great salvation of the introverts -- getting to be sociable and meeting people, but also not feeling awkward for not having something immediate to say, and the ability to turn it off when overloaded. It's nice, and I have to admit that I prefer E-mail to phone calls (except for people really close to me). But I do have to keep up my interactions in real life because that's where it all matters.

[Kawaiikneko]

Woah another introvert thread... didn't we have one of these before? XD;; I'm an introvert~ The internet really does attract us, doesn't it.