7 Misconceptions People Have About Introverts
I remember deciding to go my local beach one day, only to bump into a friend when I got there. He was just about to leave with his other friends and asked what I was doing there alone. I told him that I just felt like coming to the beach. Immediately, his response was catastrophic.
“Dude! No! Don’t be like this! Don’t be alone. Come join us!”
I was pretty shocked by his reaction, but this is the gist of being misunderstood as an introvert. And it happens a lot. I wouldn’t say being an introvert is all about wanting to stay inside, read books, and never interact with other humans ever again; introverts simply acknowledge that we evolve and grow best when we’re alone. Sometimes, your friends think the cool things you want to do are lame, but that doesn’t stop introverts from doing them on our own anyway. We like being alone, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that!
Here are a few common misconceptions people have about us introverts.
1. People think we’re shy
Probably the most classic example: Your friends think that you’re shy just because you are unwilling to talk or meet other people. But we aren’t shy. We just don’t mind if we seem to be aloof with strangers.
2. They think we’re unfriendly
It’s not that we’re unfriendly, per se. We already have our few good friends and we think that’s enough. We don’t think that it’s a big loss if we don’t make new friends or, ugh, “network.”
3. Since we’re alone all the time, we must be depressed
No, nothing bad is going on just because we want to be alone. We just need the time to recharge our energy levels and clear our heads and we do it best alone (or, at most, with the companionship of the water at the beach).
4. The fact that we’re staying in on a weekend is tragic
Because supposedly, Friday and Saturday nights are God-given times of freedom and you have to make the most of it. And your choice to not head out of the house? Bad. Personally, I don’t get out on weekends much because I’m already out on most weekdays doing my own thing! I think introverts harness our introverted side any day and any time without convictions. It doesn’t matter if it’s a weekend or not.
5. People think we’re selfish
. . .Or territorial, but we’re just very particular about sharing our space because we treasure it so much. We’ve put a lot of effort into perfecting the haven we need to recharge. We can’t just let anybody step in and ruin the flow. Please respect our personal space!
6. They think we’re always missing out
. . . just because we choose to forgo group outings, gatherings, and other social get-togethers. I don’t think I miss out on anything, because I get to do anything I want, disruption-free, instead. We just plan our time and activities very well and make the most of it.
7. We’re boring and have no life
Culminating everything in this article so far, sometimes our friends think that we’re boring just because we don’t do whatever is considered cool or sociable. We just have our different worlds, that’s all: Ours exist in books, libraries, the beach, in meditation. Our lives are always there, in and within.
Alden Tan is a passionate Bboy and writer. He writes at his blog about personal development and motivation. Check out his free book, 12 Things Happy People Don’t Give a F**k About.
