Introversion

Introversion

Introverts. The sensitive types. Those who excel in observation, listening, have vast depth to their imagination and are a joy for deep conversations.

Note: Introversion and extraversion persist on a subscale meaning you are neither one nor the other, you just have higher qualities in one domain in comparison to the other.

Nature

Introversion indulges in the quieter side of life. While they may have strong social skills, enjoy parties or business meetings, after a time they wish to be at home in their pyjamas, as this is where they rejuvenate their energy. They tend to prefer the company of friends and family devoting their time to those close rather than extravagant events involving an abundance of people. They prefer the quiet and calm as a high for happiness, indulging in the mind more so than the outer world. They are the deep thinkers of the world, solving equations, whipping up grand ideas, delving deep into their imagination and expanding the domain of inner consciousness. Next time you come across a quiet individual, fulfilled in their own solitude, remember that pondering in their mind are vast ideas, lifechanging inventions or in a depth of imagination most people struggle to comprehend.

Interaction

Many introverts have a horror for small talk but enjoy deep conversations. Introverts usually need to understand another individual before they are comfortable in communication with them. A tendency to need a deep conversation before being able to have comfortable small talk. Society usually projects the opposite, the need for small talk before deep conversation, but this is not the case for most introverted individuals. Introverts are not necessarily shy rather they need to truly know you before they are comfortable engaging with you. Though when these sensitive people are in environments which nurture their authenticity they laugh and talk as much as anybody else. Introverts are thinkers, thinking deeply before they do or say, you will tend to see excessive eye movement by these individuals before a response or on deep topics as though they are truly delving into the mind. They prefer to listen rather than dominate the conversation, but when they speak, everybody listens, usually due to the fact they have truly thought about what is about to be said, adding additional value to it.  Introverts often lack artificial enthusiasm meaning they struggle to fake laughs or act completely interested and enthusiastic in a conversation where they are not. It is not that introverts can’t be eager or enthusiastic but rather they struggle to be as overtly expressive as extraverts. When thought is consistently used in complicated ways it becomes difficult to express interest in topics such as the weather or what someone did on their holidays, it doesn’t trigger the interest they need for them to fully delve into and absorb the conversation. Though a takeaway is that when an introvert truly bursts into laughter or is engaged in what you a speaking of then it is truly a genuine interest driving their emotions or concentration. Societal pressure can impact these individuals as they feel they need to be social when they don’t even feel they want to be. Do not care to be social, and do not pressure yourself to have to talk to everyone, every step of the way, or pressure yourself to be a crazy promoter of small talk. Sometimes it is best to understand you have your strengths, interests, and a way of doing things that is unique, when you play to your strengths and who you are then the masks will disappear.

Sensitivity and Stimulation

Introverts tend to have a smaller response to dopamine. They can still be drawn to sex, status and parties but the buzz they get from it will be relatively small in comparison to other people and they certainly won’t break a leg to get there. Studies have shown introverts to be more responsive to internally generated brain activity. Meaning they are content to just be in their own thoughts, not needing a constant stream of novelty in daily life. They are sensitive beings, feeling and observing the environment and people they are with, emotional queues or changes are picked up on quickly and they are always prepared to lend a helping hand or a deep chat, or listening ear for whomever may need it. Overstimulation can occur for these individuals in unknown environments, when there is too many people, and when they have not had enough time to themselves or rest time over the past couple days. In case of overstimulation, these individuals can begin to shut down socially or become overwhelmed in ones mind. So if you are an introvert, and feeling this sense of overstimulation, find a way to calm down the stimulation to an optimal level once more. Find a place to sit in quiet for a couple minutes, sit back and indulge in your own mind, forget the need to participate in conversation and just take some time to regain yourself.