7 Truths About Introverts That Might Surprise You

Introverts are loners but not for the reasons that you might think.

Photo by Keenan Constance from Pexels

As an introvert myself, I feel that I am badly misunderstood. I know what people think of me.

I’m a snob.

I’m anti-social.

I think I’m better than everyone else.

I’ve seen and heard it all and will continue to do so.

Does it bother me sometimes? Yes. Although not as much as it used to.

Do I not care sometimes? Yes.

Here are 7 truths about me (and other introverts) that I wish others would understand.

1. We Are Not Snobs

Just because we don’t want to be in the middle of all the hubbub does not mean that we are snobs. On the contrary, it is the exact opposite. We do not dislike people. We don’t think that we are better than others. We just have no desire to interact with groups of people with whom we don’t have a close personal relationship.

2. We Are Excellent Judges of Character

Introverts read and study people. Because we don’t feel the need to be ‘part of the group’ we are better positioned to watch others from the outside. The way others interact. The way others behave. Their body language. It all says something about that person, and the introvert is watching and learning.

Don’t underestimate me because I’m quiet. I know more than I say, think more than I speak and observe more than you know.” ~ Michaela Chung

3. Introverts DO Form Close Relationships

Introverts do not feel the need to have a contact list full of friends to call regularly. Instead, we tend to connect and form close connections with a select few. These few people we trust implicitly and tend to form life-long friendships with.

I have three very close friends going back as far as 40 years. That’s it. I have no desire to meet new people or develop new friendships. I prefer to have three true friends than 20 fake friends that I can’t count on or trust.

Now, does that mean that I will never form another close relationship? No, not at all. Introverts seem to create an instant connection with the right person. We somehow ‘just know.’

4. Introverts Needs Time To Recharge

Extroverts need to be social butterflies. They become depressed if they are alone for too long. Introverts need that alone time to recharge.

Being out with people is exhausting for us. If I’m out with people for more than an hour at a time, I am looking for an excuse to leave. ANY EXCUSE! And it will be a while before I push myself to be out and about with people again.

I have to be alone very often. I’d be quite happy if I spent from Saturday night until Monday morning alone in my apartment. That’s how I refuel. ~ Audrey Hepburn

5. Introverts Tend To Be Better Problem Solvers

Introverts are always thinking and working things out in their heads. So we have an internal monologue constantly going on. Where extroverts talk about themselves and their lives — introverts process things internally and keep things to themselves.

Since introverts are observers and processors, we often see things others don’t or can’t. Then we use that alone time to work through a problem and find a solution.

6. Small Talk Is Painful

Introverts don’t do small talk. It mentally hurts! Trying to come up with anything meaningful to say to someone that you have nothing in common with (and don’t really care about) is one of the worst ways to spend free time.

Working in an office consists of nothing but small talk all day. ‘Good Morning’ and ‘Have a Nice Weekend’ are about as much as I can muster without wishing I was anywhere but there at that moment.

7. Introverts Are Pessimists

Ok, so I’ll be honest here, I’m not entirely sure about this one. I know many introverts, and they tend to be pessimistic like myself. But does that mean that all introverts are pessimists? Maybe not. But I thought I’d throw this one out there anyways.

As I can only speak for myself, I think one has to do with the other.

Conclusion

Extroverts tend to ‘feel bad’ for us introverts, but the truth is: I like being an introvert! I have no desire to impress anyone or try to be something I’m not. All that just seems so exhausting.

I am perfectly content keeping to myself and living my own life without worrying about what others are doing or thinking.

Are there times that I wish I were a bit more outgoing? Yes, sometimes. But if given a choice, I would choose to be an introvert any day of the week.

Are you an introvert? Do you agree or disagree with any of these points? I’d love to hear your thoughts!