“Introverts live in two worlds: We visit the world of people, but solitude and the inner world will always be our home.”~ Jenn Granneman

I get it, you feel left out. You feel the pressure of being like the majority of people in society—an extrovert. You feel embarrassed, pressured, and ashamed of constantly feeling excluded from large groups.

You are often the one in the corner, the quietest. The one who often doesn’t have much to add in many conversations, or it just takes a little time for you to think about good points to add in a conversation you are interested in. And when you’re ready, they’ve already shifted to another subject.

You observe the eyes looking at you, expecting something from you. Something to add to their conversations. Be more talkative, funny, energetic, outgoing, and loud. 

You are perhaps known to be the quietest one wherever you are, and the most common question you get is, “why are you so quiet?”

Common Misconceptions on How Society Views Introverts

I know your struggles, for I am just the same– an introvert. As introverts living in an extraverted world, we have been greatly misunderstood.

• Many believe they are anti-social, and not willing to participate in any social activities.
• They think they don’t like to talk.
• They view them as shy individuals which is not always the case.
• Many believe introverts don’t want to surround themselves around people, they want to be left alone.
• Some believe that introverted individuals do not fit into leadership roles.
• Sometimes people view them as boring because they are not as talkative and outgoing as extroverted people.
• Some people view them as rude, bored, or sad due to their facial expressions.

For many of us, it has been quite difficult to fit into friends’ groups or pursue our passion. For we are pressured to become like what modern society favors the most. 

The ones who are more outgoing, more opinionated, charismatic, more talkative, and energetic. Therefore instead of seeing the beauty of being an introvert, we look at it as an obstacle. A hindrance to ever fitting in, and a hindrance to our dreams.

Sometimes we wish to be different and force ourselves to behave in accordance with our friends and colleagues who are extroverted.And we are drained out from constantly putting on a mask, pretending to be someone we are not… so that we can fit in.

Introversion is far from being an obstacle, nothing is an obstacle, except our limited beliefs. Great thinkers and leaders, many of them were introverted.

Albert Einstein, Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, Elenor Roosevelt, Audrey Hepburn, and many other successful people were introverts.

Sure being an introvert can be hard, especially in social settings where everybody around us is extraverted, and we feel like we don’t fit in. Although Mahatma Gandhi saw it from another perspective:

“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”

What are Introverts?

Susan Cain, the New York Times bestselling author of the famous book “Quiet.” She often explains the difference between introverts versus extroverts, which is to perceive how each of them tolerates social events.

For instance, how are you after a few hours at a party or any social gatherings? Do you feel drained out, and tired, wish to go home to your comfy blanket and read a good book or watch your favorite series?

Many introverts are sensitive to external stimuli. While all the noises and interactions from the outside world excite and energize the extrovert. For introverts, it can be exhausting and they need to withdraw and have alone time to recharge.

Social interactions and gatherings fuel the extrovert, as for the introvert it exhausts and overwhelms them. Not to say that introverts don’t enjoy social interactions, although it just exhausts them when they are surrounded by extroverts because they are at a completely different level than they.

4 Surprisingly Powerful Qualities of Introverts

1. They think before they speak

Many people don’t understand why introverts are so quiet, understandably. Introverts are often very quiet, and frequently don’t have much to say during social gatherings. 

This raises many questions and suspicions as if they don’t like hanging out with them.

Of course, this is not the case. They just interact a little differently. Extroverts speak with a flow, they don’t necessarily think before they speak, they often speak their thoughts, or speak as they think.

Whereas having an introvert in your social circle, where a lot of activity and a lot of different topics are going on in the conversation, they find it hard to keep up. This is because introverts process information more slowly than extroverts, making them process the information they receive more thoughtfully.

When speaking to an introvert, he/she often needs time to process and consider the information you are giving him/her, and time to give you a response. Now is this considered a flaw, are you anything worse than others because it takes you a bit more time to come up with answers?

Not at all! You have a quality that many in modern society lack: the ability and patience to think before you speak.

Many rashly open up their mouth with no consideration of the consequence it can bring. And their words can accidentally hurt someone, or give a wrong direction to someone.

In fact:

“Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”~ Proverbs 13:3 NIV

2. They are great observers

“Because introverts are typically good listeners and, at least, have the appearance of calmness, we are attractive to emotionally needy people. Introverts, gratified that other people are initiating with them, can easily get caught in these exhausting and unsatisfying relationships.”~ Adam S. McHugh

Introverts keenly observe everything around them. They are usually the ones who like to listen more when surrounded by friends or family, rather than do all the talking.

This is actually what makes them great listeners. They truly care for other people’s feelings and difficulties, and just people in general. 

They are interested in what’s going on in people’s lives and strive to come up with a meaningful and helpful solutions.

3. They thrive in solitude

Introverts love to be by themselves in quiet to reflect on life, think of solutions, and fill their mind with good ideas. They are often known to be highly creative.

Because they appreciate the quiet, being by themselves in their inner world that is filled with ideas and creativity. They just love to observe it, consider it, and create something out of it.

“The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.“~ Albert Einstein

4. They are amazing compassionate leaders

While society might not look at introverts as leaders because of their quiet personalities, they make fantastic leaders.

Because they don’t necessarily crave the spotlight and all the credits, they often dislike the spotlight.

Furthermore, they observe situations carefully and with a good consideration of the solutions to offer.

Dear Introverts…

These benefits are only a fraction compared to hundreds of others that you possess as introverts. 

Perhaps you are discouraged to go after your dreams, or whatever desire you have in your heart.

Maybe you don’t think there is a spot for you to shine in the world. Because you tell yourself you have to be this loud, attention-seeking, charismatic person for your voice and your amazing gift to be revealed.

Perhaps others tell you so. Know one thing for sure, your spot to shine is right where you are standing. Your quietness is not a flaw or a hindrance to anything as you might think.

It can be an inspiration and education for those who are suffocating in all the distraction from the outer world and can’t find a way to serenity, you could show them how. 

Or be an inspiration to other introverts like you. You just have to look at your introversion as an opportunity and a gift and not something you should be ashamed of.

The world is in great need of your amazing personality to shine, and the amazing gift you possess. Strive for whatever your heart desires, and don’t let society or your limiting beliefs stop you.

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