ArtsAutosBooksBusinessEducationEntertainmentFamilyFashionFoodGamesGenderHealthHolidaysHomeHubPagesPersonal FinancePetsPoliticsReligionSportsTechnologyTravel

How to Accept Yourself as an Introvert

Updated on June 22, 2013

Loving Your Introvert Nature

Think back on how people described you as a child--were you often called shy? Did people remark that you didn't fit in or enjoy social situations? Were you labeled "antisocial"? Now, think about how those labels and perceptions carry over into your adult life. Do you often feel guilty for not being more social, or like you should be different than you are? Do you fake being more outgoing and then fall into bed exhausted and drained each night?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, you may very well be an introvert--and that's okay despite what you've been led to believe! Introverts have a lot to offer, and if you understand more about introversion, you may find yourself accepting traits you thought were negative.

Read on to learn how to accept yourself as an introvert.

Do you dream of reading a book on a remote beach and enjoying your solitude? You may be an introvert!
Do you dream of reading a book on a remote beach and enjoying your solitude? You may be an introvert! | Source

Extroverts versus Introverts

A succinct definition of an extrovert, according to MerriamWebster.com, is one who is "predominantly concerned with and obtains gratification from what is outside the self." An introvert, in contrast, is one who "turns inward or in upon him- or herself."

So how do get from those simple definitions to the preconceived societal notions of introversion and extroversion? We're told from early childhood to be more outgoing, to be friendly, to enjoy social situations because they are "fun." Being alone or craving solitude is seen as being shy, antisocial, and even awkward. A passion for reading or solitary pursuits gets you labeled a bookworm, a nerd, or other similar terms.

This inevitably results in the valuation of extroverted personalities over introverted personalities, leading many introverts to feel there's something wrong with them or that they could be "better."

Well, there's nothing wrong with you! It's not a matter of being "better" or "worse" depending on whether you'd prefer to read a book than go to a dance; it's a matter of psychology. Introverts draw energy (recharge) from solitude, while extroverts draw energy from crowds. Introverts can and do enjoy social situations, and often have deep friendships and relationships. They are excellent at analysis, observation, and deep thinking--but if they don't have the option to "draw energy" from solitude, they may become stressed, irritable and depressed; extroverts may experience the same symptoms if they spend too much time alone.

Do you consider yourself an extrovert or an introvert?

See results

A Great Recent Book Looking at the Power of the Introvert

Positive Steps Toward Accepting Yourself as an Introvert

Now that you know a bit more about introversion, do you really think you should carry the labels of shy or antisocial?

If those labels bother you, take it a step further and work on two things: 1) accepting yourself and 2) training others to accept you.

If you don't feel up to a particular social outing or event, put yourself first and politely decline. If it's for your mental health, it's not wrong to decline an invitation! Give yourself permission to want to stay in and paint, or read, or bake and don't beat yourself up about that desire. Once you have a night in, you'll be surprised at how recharged and happy you feel.

If others don't understand your choice and insist you'll have fun, emphasize that you just need to recharge but will definitely take them up on their invitation the next time.

If you need to go to lunch alone sometimes at work, that's fine; and if you need a few hours to yourself on a weekend, away from your kids or spouse, take it! Explaining the difference between introverted and extroverted personalities can help others understand as well.

Don't act guilty or overly apologetic when you turn something down; eventually, others will get used to the boundaries you set about how you will and will not socialize.

A Humorous Look at Introverts versus Extroverts

Famous Introverts

Many introverts exist just fine in the spotlight, taking the time they need to recharge. Among them are:

  • Meryl Streep
  • Tom Hanks
  • Steve Martin
  • Johnny Carson
  • Barbara Walters
  • Albert Einstein

Concluding Thoughts on Being an Introvert

I knew relatively little about the psychology behind introverted versus extroverted personalities until recently, and it truly changed how I deal with people! Now I understand why I prefer to go out one night a week instead of three, and why my spouse is so energized after a party while I just want to sleep.

If you think you're an introvert, celebrate it--you're in good company! And you probably have strengths that your extroverted counterparts don't--so focus on those instead of bemoaning what you're not.

working

This website uses cookies

As a user in the EEA, your approval is needed on a few things. To provide a better website experience, hubpages.com uses cookies (and other similar technologies) and may collect, process, and share personal data. Please choose which areas of our service you consent to our doing so.

For more information on managing or withdrawing consents and how we handle data, visit our Privacy Policy at: https://corp.maven.io/privacy-policy

Show Details
Necessary
HubPages Device IDThis is used to identify particular browsers or devices when the access the service, and is used for security reasons.
LoginThis is necessary to sign in to the HubPages Service.
Google RecaptchaThis is used to prevent bots and spam. (Privacy Policy)
AkismetThis is used to detect comment spam. (Privacy Policy)
HubPages Google AnalyticsThis is used to provide data on traffic to our website, all personally identifyable data is anonymized. (Privacy Policy)
HubPages Traffic PixelThis is used to collect data on traffic to articles and other pages on our site. Unless you are signed in to a HubPages account, all personally identifiable information is anonymized.
Amazon Web ServicesThis is a cloud services platform that we used to host our service. (Privacy Policy)
CloudflareThis is a cloud CDN service that we use to efficiently deliver files required for our service to operate such as javascript, cascading style sheets, images, and videos. (Privacy Policy)
Google Hosted LibrariesJavascript software libraries such as jQuery are loaded at endpoints on the googleapis.com or gstatic.com domains, for performance and efficiency reasons. (Privacy Policy)
Features
Google Custom SearchThis is feature allows you to search the site. (Privacy Policy)
Google MapsSome articles have Google Maps embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
Google ChartsThis is used to display charts and graphs on articles and the author center. (Privacy Policy)
Google AdSense Host APIThis service allows you to sign up for or associate a Google AdSense account with HubPages, so that you can earn money from ads on your articles. No data is shared unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
Google YouTubeSome articles have YouTube videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
VimeoSome articles have Vimeo videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
PaypalThis is used for a registered author who enrolls in the HubPages Earnings program and requests to be paid via PayPal. No data is shared with Paypal unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
Facebook LoginYou can use this to streamline signing up for, or signing in to your Hubpages account. No data is shared with Facebook unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
MavenThis supports the Maven widget and search functionality. (Privacy Policy)
Marketing
Google AdSenseThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Google DoubleClickGoogle provides ad serving technology and runs an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Index ExchangeThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
SovrnThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Facebook AdsThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Amazon Unified Ad MarketplaceThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
AppNexusThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
OpenxThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Rubicon ProjectThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
TripleLiftThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Say MediaWe partner with Say Media to deliver ad campaigns on our sites. (Privacy Policy)
Remarketing PixelsWe may use remarketing pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to advertise the HubPages Service to people that have visited our sites.
Conversion Tracking PixelsWe may use conversion tracking pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to identify when an advertisement has successfully resulted in the desired action, such as signing up for the HubPages Service or publishing an article on the HubPages Service.
Statistics
Author Google AnalyticsThis is used to provide traffic data and reports to the authors of articles on the HubPages Service. (Privacy Policy)
ComscoreComScore is a media measurement and analytics company providing marketing data and analytics to enterprises, media and advertising agencies, and publishers. Non-consent will result in ComScore only processing obfuscated personal data. (Privacy Policy)
Amazon Tracking PixelSome articles display amazon products as part of the Amazon Affiliate program, this pixel provides traffic statistics for those products (Privacy Policy)
ClickscoThis is a data management platform studying reader behavior (Privacy Policy)