SAY YOU, Part I

1. 83

   gmwilliamsposted 10 years ago

   
   To all you introverts out there, what are 10 things you want to say to the extroverts in your family, among your friends, and in general?  What would YOU want to educate others regarding introversion?
   

   replyreport
   1. 0

      Brenda Durhamposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I would tell them what that picture says.   Yep, sometimes I just want to be alone with my thoughts.
      And I don't feel the need nor desire to always be the center of attention.
      It may not seem like it on here (it's always easier to converse and etc.  online instead of in person)........but I've always been an introvert.   Sometimes that's been a good thing, but sometimes bad too.    I can rarely speak in "public"  like in giving a speech etc.     I think a lot of writers are like that maybe.........it's easier to put one's thoughts down on paper than to express them verbally.
      I've become more extroverted, though, over the years.  Now it's at a fairly even balance (I think and hope).........
      
      I will say this-----quietness, introversion, isn't a sign of lack of character!   I know a guy who said people who weren't outgoing had no "character".    He couldn't have been further from the truth!   He judged them because he himself was so outgoing and desirous of attention.   Yes, dern it, there is PREJUDICE against introverts and we gotta stop it!!!  LOL.

      replyreport
      1. 83

         gmwilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         +1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 in agreement.

         replyreport
         1. 0

            Brenda Durhamposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            You said what are 10 things.
            I dunno if I made it to 10,  but I'll post more if I think of 'em! 

            replyreport
   2. 59

      MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I would say (and have said)
      
      1. I love you as much as humanly possible but I need space and time alone to process.
      2. I love to hear about your day and I'm always here if you need me, but a lot of the interpersonal stuff... especially conflict... upsets me and leaves me feeling wrung dry.
      3. My personal space is bigger than other people's.
      4. I'm overstimulated and overwhelmed...If you don't leave me alone I'm going to punch you in the face.
      
      ... Well maybe I've not said 4... but I've thought it.

      replyreport
2. 84

   kaiyan717posted 10 years ago

   1. Never tell the waitress it is our birthday for the song and cake, ever.
   That's all I got, lol.

   replyreport
   1. 0

      Brenda Durhamposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      You soooo got it right!  ha.
      Hey, and guess what I got to do?   I read your hub about the 5-minute 4-ingredient cheesecake and I have got to try it!    It looks so good.   Thank you so much!

      replyreport
3. 77

   Kathryn L Hillposted 10 years ago

   To be alone is freedom. Whoever does not like to be alone does not like freedom. Schopenhauer said something to this effect.

   replyreport
   1. 59

      bBereanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      He was thought to have said it, but to himself, so nobody is sure.     Jk, (afterall there is an "I" in my profile as well).

      replyreport
      1. 77

         Kathryn L Hillposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         - odd comment, Mr. bB (what do you mean by Jk...joke?)  He wrote volumes and what I wrote was from a quote of his.
         
         PS Periods of solitude are vital for everyone whether they are extroverts or introverts.

         replyreport
4. 0

   Beth37posted 10 years ago

   This is a great idea for a thread. Good job gm.

   replyreport
   1. 77

      Kathryn L Hillposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I like your No. 4, Beth.
      (Sometimes little (and big) children feel this way.  Caregivers need to respect  a child's need for being left to himself for periods of time throughout the day. Children do not need the adult in charge to be constantly and obviously hovering.
      We should do our work in the house, (or preschool) and let them be... while watching them in our rearview mirror.  Also, they do not need to be constantly playing with you, other children or on sports teams.
      
      Introverted children need to be encouraged to do things that make them happy...drawing painting, writing, reading. Adults need to notice whether their child is motivated/stimulated by the inner or the outer. In other words, a child who loves music should not be encouraged to become a football player. (Although, to like both is not unheard of.) A child who loves to draw and has a good imagination should be given extra opportunities through classes or tutoring to develop these skills. A child who loves music should be given a guitar or keyboard and lessons.

      replyreport
      1. 0

         Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this

         I think you meant Melissa.
         
         Does any one else hear Lionel Richie in their head every time they read this post's title?

         replyreport
         1. 77

            Kathryn L Hillposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            - yes and yes.

            replyreport
            1. 0

               Beth37posted 10 years agoin reply to this

               that's the way it should be.

               replyreport
   2. 83

      gmwilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, Beth, I should be writing hubs.  I have so many in the back burner!

      replyreport
      1. 77

         Kathryn L Hillposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Me too.

         replyreport
5. 0

   Motown2Chitownposted 10 years ago

   As an extroverted introvert (I'm generally energized by social interaction, but I crave and desperately need silence and solitude on a regular basis), I would say that silence isn't the enemy of sociability.  It is okay to share quiet time with someone you care about.  It makes you neither antisocial, nor uncaring.  Introverts have been pushed around for so long. (Speak up, will ya?  Cat got your tongue?  You're just too quiet.  Don't you want to join the party?  And, my personal favorite - he/she just doesn't love us.)
   
   While it's natural to want to find a balance, we need to understand that not all introverts are "shy."  I'm certainly not.  I have become far more introverted as I've aged, and I like it.  Social interaction can be (at times) somewhat of a drain, depending on its purpose.  Yes, I'm energized by social interaction when it is among people I love, or find truly interesting and inspiring.  I've no need to be the belle of the ball just to ''prove'' that I'm outgoing and sociable.  I'm friendly and warm by nature, and I enjoy people, but I also need to recharge in private and in silence.
   
   For introverts, I'd ask for some patience too for the more extroverted individual.  We are more likely than you are to think out loud.  While you process and speak when you've arrived at a conclusion, we tend to process verbally.  Where we begin may be entirely different from where we end up.  Try to wait until we've finished the thought before responding. 
   
   

   replyreport