The Gift of Introversion

Remember: your quiet nature is part of who you are—and it’s a good thing. Introverts
who embrace their nature tend to flourish.
They are happier, have better relationships, do better work, and enjoy life because their
minds are well-rested and their energy level is high. The best thing you can do if you’re
an introvert is not try to change it, but to take the alone time you need and let your vast
inner world work for you.
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Introverts Don’t Hate People,
They Hate Shallow Socializing
I like to make jokes about how much I hate people. As an introvert, it’s easy to do. The
stereotype of the misanthropic introvert is backed by countless Facebook memes and
pop culture references: Think of the animated character Daria with her oversized
glasses and a book in her hand or that catchy quote from Charles Bukowski, “I don’t
hate people, I just feel better when they aren’t around.”
These memes and quotes exist for a reason. They are funny and relatable, but they can
also serve as a coping mechanism for those who need an excuse to hide behind. It’s
the whole “I’m too school for cool” persona. It’s easy for me to say I spent the majority of
the party playing with the host’s cat because the people there weren’t half as interesting
as the books I have at home. It’s harder to admit that getting past the barrier of small
talk ranges from somewhat daunting to downright terrifying. So I oversimplify and say I
don’t like people, when what I actually dislike are the surface-level interactions of most
social gatherings.
We’ve all been to those parties where the sole purpose of the event is for everyone to
break into small groups where they talk about sports, the weather, or where the host’s
second cousin got her hair done. It’s moments like these where it suddenly becomes
very important to find out if there’s a pet you can play with, or when all else fails,
perhaps a large potted plant to hide behind. If there’s a drink to be fetched or a bowl of
chips to be refilled, this task will instantly become the sole purpose of my existence,
because literally anything is better than small talk.
However, despite appearances, I don’t hate people. I just hate shallow socializing.
And therein lies the problem that has kept thousands of introverts awake until all hours
of the night. Because being an introvert doesn’t mean that you want to be alone all the
time. But unfortunately, in order to meet people to share your inner world with, it’s
necessary to go out and socialize. In order to get to those coveted discussions about life
goals, creative passions, and the existence of the universe, you sometimes have to start
with some small talk, no matter how painful it might be.
Sometimes an Introvert Has to Go Out to Appreciate Staying In
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