"It's good for the soul when there's not a soul in sight." ~Kenny Chesney~
Friends, I know this might come as a shock to you, but I'm an introvert. And not just sort of. An online Jung Typology test told me that on the introvert-extrovert scale, my introvertedness is about 70%. And we all know how reliable those online tests are. But really, I didn't need some expert to tell me that I'm "more reserved, less outgoing... [and] marked by a richer inner world" than 60-75% of the population. I already had a hunch.
The fact is, I like to be around people; I enjoy attending parties and being with friends and meeting new people. I just like hanging out with me more. And I'm not sure why that makes some people uneasy. Last week, I mentioned to a group of young women in our ward that I had spent a Saturday in Anchorage shopping, having lunch, and catching a movie. "By yourself?" one of the girls asked, horrified, staring at me as though she'd just seen a leper. Um, yeah, by myself. Myself rocks. And if myself wants to see a movie and gorge at the local Mongolian Barbecue, who am I to argue?
So what if I don't like crowds? They make me nervous. Who cares if socializing for long periods of time drains me of energy more effectively than a triathlon? (Not that I would know, having never run a triathlon. Or more than two miles in a row, come to think of it. Yeah, so I'm not a runner. Sue me. We're not talking about that right now anyway. Geez.) And when I want to host an event, is it really a big deal if I have to decide to do it less than 12 hours prior to the actual event or I'll find a way to cancel, because thinking about all those people coming over kicks my stress gene into high gear?
I used to think all of these things somehow pointed to flaws in my character, that maybe I wasn't as important as the numerous extroverts roaming the planet. So I guess I do understand why someone might think going to a movie solo is a little strange. But I don't think so. It's just me. And me is good.
P.S. Just out of curiosity, even if I didn't actually get on the stupid thing, assembling an elliptical counts as aerobic exercise, right? (And by I, I mean my husband, who worked so hard I had time to come in and blog. I love you, honey!)
1 day ago
14 comments:
When I took the test, I think I was extroverted. I didn't always use to be that way. But I do relish my alone time, that's for sure.
I'm super introverted--I understand you for sure:) I love to shop by myself---and hosting, don't even get me started. It's exhuasting!
By nature I'm a total introvert.
When I have to, I can pull it together and be somewhat outgoing for an evening, but like you, I'd really just rather stay home and conserve all that energy.
I am definitely an introvert as well. I wouldn't go to a movie by myself, though. I like to take the hubby along. Shopping by myself is awesome. I put my IPOD on and I am completely unsocial. LOVE IT!
Fellow introverts, unite! I know a lot of people don't get my desire to just be by myself. But then again, I don't get their desires to be constantly with people, and when they're not, talking on the phone with them.
That's exhausting!
ROFL about the watching him put it together. I find myself doing the same thing.
While I am an extrovert I find nothing wrong with going to a movie or dinner by yourself. Honestly I think it's needed sometimes. If you don't like yourself, how can other people really know the real you to like?
Yourself DOES rock. :)
And of course having the elliptical assembled counts as exercise. As a matter of fact, I think just having the thing in your house means you exercise, whether or not you ever use it.
I'm becoming more introverted with age. I used to be an XNFP and now I'm a bonafide INFP. I've always enjoyed time hanging out with myself. I'm never bored when I'm alone. But I have to add -- blogging is the PERFECT social activity for an introvert. Share that stuff in your head and your heart from the privacy of your own home -- and make the best kind of friends in the process.
I honestly wouldn't be surprised if most bloggers are introverts.
I seriously get a little panicky when i think of having time alone, by myself.
I'd almost always rather spend time with people i like, or i think are cool, or whatever.
but it is really nice knowing that no matter where we are or what we are doing, we never are truly alone.
I'm very extroverted, but I have a son who is an introvert (which is ironic, because he is still social and likes playing with friends, but he NEEDS a certain amount of alone time or he loses it) and it took me years to learn to understand that about him. Now that mommy finally gets it--why the 9yo needs to go play alone in his room to relax (and also why my extroverted 2yo needs to come check in for a mommy hug every 10 minutes) it makes me a much better mommy.
Of course, mommy's nights out make me a better mommy too...because mommy is an extrovert and needs grown-up-talky-time. :)
I'm probably split down the middle. I like people, but HATE crowds. (Enough that I make a point to finish Christmas shopping in October.) I prefer to shop by myself, but I like to eat with people. I need me time every day, but too much makes me antsy.
Apparently I'm bipolar too.
I am outgoing, but I am also an extreme introvert. Shopping by myself? HEAVEN. That is, if I enjoyed shopping.
I think people who DON'T like to by themselves have a problem. ;) Really, the thought of going to the fabric store and lunch BY MY SELF sounds so dang fantastic, I'm dying. :)
Hmmmm...... what a thought-provoking post this has turned out to be. Here I am, thinking I was 150% extrovert, and I realized that that's just not the case as much anymore. I love being the life of the party, center of attention, star of the show, etc. But there are times when I truly enjoy the peace that comes with silence and privacy. And I hate shopping, whether by myself or with my friends or even my kids. I just hate spending money.
I'm just not sure where that puts me anymore. I think I'll go grab a half gallon of triple chocolate chunk and ponder this little conundrum. All by myself.
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