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Contrary to popular belief, I’m definitely an introvert. While my people skills seem to be getting better with age and practice, my default mode involves a lot of alone time – quiet time. When given the choice to stay at home or go socialize, I would love to pick the first option but generally choose the latter because I know it’s good for me. After all, how am I supposed to follow in my Rabbi Jesus’ footsteps and interact with my community when I’m at home alone all the time? Jesus definitely took time for quiet, but a large part of His life was spent interacting with other people. Therefore I gather that people skills are good things to develop, whether I’m an introvert or extrovert.
I definitely believe that some people are more reserved than others by nature, and that’s not a bad thing. However, I also believe that a lot of introverts (myself included) need to reach outside their boxes more, and a lot of extroverts need to learn to better appreciate quiet alone time. Yes, I believe that it is possible to change one’s personality, and I believe that in order to be more Christlike, most of us need to work on changing a few things!
So yes, I’m trying to work on my people skills, but for a bit of humor (and for the information of all you extroverts in the world) I thought I’d give a list of things that might be true to you if you’re an introvert.
You May Be an Introvert If…
Un. You hate answering the phone.
Deux. You love talkative people.
Trois. An afternoon shopping sounds like a lot of work…and you’re not even taking kids with you!
Quatre. You’re a great people-watcher (in a totally non-creepy way, of course).
Cinc. You are perfectly content to stay at home instead of hanging out with friends every Friday night.
Six. You have to force yourself to talk to someone you don’t know well…
Sept. …but you do it anyway because you know how awkward it feels when you go somewhere where you don’t know anyone and no one makes an effort to talk to you.
Huit. Silence is truly golden.
Neuf. Large gatherings are exhausting.
Dix. You are surprised to find that when you make conversation with someone, instead of being awkward, it usually ends up being more fun and beneficial than you expected.
Do you have any others to add to my list?
Misty says
Pretty much describes me. I am such a homebody. I love chatting with people, but I have a hard time initiating the conversation. Besides that, many years ago I was told I had little tact, so I have avoided conversations , especially ones that I had to carry because I tend to ramble at that point. Shopping… blech! I’m the lady with a list, a mission, to get in, find what I need and get out. I sorta forget I’m in a building full of people. But, like you, I’m working on this. Getting out of my little bubble. Thanks for the reminder… I have a ton of shopping to do this week. My goal is to slow down, open my eyes and talk to people around me. 😉
Nancy says
I am such an introvert!
I have nothing to add to the list, but did have something to share from a conference I went to for a ministry that I am involved with in my church. The presenter had a slide saying, “Introverts unite (separately)!”.
So, how about we all unite, separately, of course!?!
Tamara says
How about having to get the nerve up to meet you this summer! 🙂 So glad I did!!
Briana Thomas says
I’m glad you did too. 😉
Sheila says
I am an introvert. Large groups and talking to strangers tire me out. I wonder if it’s because I was an only child.
Sadi says
I totally am an introvert! I usually find that when I am timid about interacting with people I am just thinking of myself (how do I look, what will they think of me…I I I me me me ) instead I should be thinking of the others and how I might edify them.
I really enjoy reading your posts Briana. Where do you get your ideas on what to write about ?
Briana Thomas says
Hi Sadi, great to hear from you! And I think you’re spot on about the reasonings behind not wanting to interact with people.
My post ideas come from many different places. Usually they’re triggered by something I see or read or discussions I have with people, but sometimes they literally just pop into my head out of nowhere. 😛