The Pandemic Made Me An Introvert!
Before I get into this article, I know many of you may think, “well of course it did!” All of us were at some point stuck in our homes and unable to socialize. But, no, I mean, I really have changed where I gain my energy. My personality is shifting.
To get into this, let’s first look at the definitions of both introvert and extrovert.
According to WebMD, they define an introvert as: “… a person with qualities of a personality type known as introversion, so they feel more comfortable focusing on their inner thoughts and ideas, rather than what’s happening externally. They enjoy spending time with just one or two people, rather than large groups or crowds.”
Additional signs of introversion are:
Need quiet to concentrate
Are reflective
Are self-aware
Take time making decisions
Feel comfortable being alone
Don’t like group work
Prefer to write rather than talk
Feel tired after being in a crowd
Have few friendships, but are very close with these friends
Daydream or use their imaginations to work out a problem
Retreat into their own mind to rest
Let’s contrast that with an extrovert. We can define an extrovert as, “a typically gregarious and unreserved person who enjoys and seeks social interaction”
Notice what Healthline had to say about extroverts:
You enjoy social settings
People with more extroverted tendencies are often the center of attention — and they like it that way. They thrive in social situations, and they seek social stimulation. Extroverts often aren’t afraid to introduce themselves to new people, and they rarely avoid unfamiliar situations for fear of messing up or not knowing someone.
You don’t like or need a lot of alone time
While introverts need to escape to their homes or offices after a night out with friends or an intense meeting, extroverts find that too much alone time drains their natural energy. They recharge their internal batteries by being around other people.
You thrive around people
Extroverts feel comfortable in large groups. They may be more likely to spearhead group sports or group outings. They may be the ringleader for weekend activities, after-work cocktail hours, or other social events. They rarely turn down invitations to weddings, parties, and other gatherings.
Until the pandemic started, I would have considered myself an extrovert without hesitation. But, I’ve changed! Because this was so foreign to me, I did a google search to see was this was something other extroverts were experiencing. To my shock, several articles appeared on this same topic. One article stated this about changing extroverts: “Where they’ve expected to be ready to party, they’ve instead valued solitary pursuits.”
In another article, one former extrovert stated, “I think I realized I don’t always need to be productive to be doing something to feel complete.” She also talked about the sense of pressure being relieved and the joy of just sitting, relaxing, and not doing anything .
I was so excited to find out that I was not alone in this mental shift. As one fellow extrovert stated, “I’ve found solace in time alone.”
Now, before the introverts completely welcome me to the other side, I have to share that to outsiders I may not “look” like the average introvert. As a business owner, mindset coach, podcast host, author, and motivational speaker, I’m still quite active socially. In fact, most people address me as though I have a hidden super power that allows me to juggle multiple projects at one time and appear to be enjoying it. And I am enjoying it, but these activities are more like placeholders in my life instead of energy restoring activities. When I’m done, I long for my quiet evenings at home, watching shows with my husband and very little socializing with the outside world.
Who knows where I will land as I, like most, adjust and adapt to our new normal of this hybrid lifestyle of being out of the pandemic but yet still very much aware of Covid-19 being a pretty significant illness affecting the world. But maybe this is a time for all of us to reassess the lifestyle we want, whether that’s in solitude or in company–and to find the balance that best suits our unique personalities.
For more articles like this or to learn about our virtual women’s center, follow us at www.mynaturalme.org
or email, info@lilettaharlem.com
