5 Misconceptions About Introverts
Being a little bit more on the introverted side can be tough. When everyone is clamoring to stay out late, hang out in huge groups, or meet lots of new people, being extroverted starts looking very good. In fact, others who don’t understand introverts might start assuming things about them, either through stereotypes or by observing their behavior.
There is a lot more going on underneath the surface, however, and a lot of misconceptions about introverts that should be broken:
Shy
“Shy” is a general term we call people who are quiet, don’t open up in crowds, and maybe even a little bit afraid of social interaction. This doesn’t cover the whole story of introverts. The core of being an introvert means being energized by being alone and being drained by being around other people. Just because someone is an introvert doesn’t make her scared of being around others. Instead, it’s something that happens inside. It is more of an internal energy shift that happens when an introvert is surrounded by people not already admitted to her comfort zone.
Snobby
True blue introverts find themselves challenged to just slide their way into groups of people or to strike up conversation randomly. Their nature urges them to simply keep to themselves. Although some may look at this and think that the introverts feel superior to others, it isn’t true. It just means they aren’t comfortable in these situations; remember, they’re the ones getting their energy drained by big groups. You’d be uncomfortable, too.
Hatred of Being Social
As mentioned, there is a distinct “circle” of people who are no longer in the energy drain category for introverts. This means that an introvert is entirely capable of being just as loud and fun as any extrovert, but only when with this “safe” people who they are comfortable with. Socializing with the right group can actually offer lots of positive energy to an introvert. However, bringing even one stranger into the group can cause an introvert to retreat back into her comfort zone, so keep this in mind.
Comfortable Where They Are
If you seem confident and easygoing in a group, chances are good that you’ve caught an introvert’s envious eye. The mere idea of easing into a strange group of people can be an extreme challenge, even to the point of being painful to some introverts. That doesn’t mean that they don’t occasionally wish to be capable of including themselves in these situations.
Introspection
There’s not just empty air wafting around between an introvert’s ears! Just because she’s sitting quietly doesn’t mean that she’s not very active mentally. Deep thoughts are most likely running through the introvert’s mind at any given moment. Sound weighty? It is! All this thinking adds to the difficulty of jumping into a group of people. An introvert’s mind is very powerful, and quite often an introvert thinks too hard about a situation (“What should I say? Should I smile more often? What is he thinking about?”). This makes it hard to relax and let the good energy flow.
Throw away all of your labels the next time you meet anyone of any age range who may seem snobby or shy to you. Like all human beings, introverts need understanding. Be respectful of the fact that we are all different, and we all need a little love. So be friendly (in a calm, unintimidating way) to the next introvert you meet. Or if you are an introvert, smile knowing that you are unique, special and perfect just the way you are.
Want to understand introverts and extroverts’ hard-wiring even more? This infographic breaks it down very nicely:
About the Author
Sacred Power: Medical Intuition and Why People Don't Heal
Humans are blessed with an innate potential, or “sacred power,” the highest aspect of our being and living. However, many of us don’t access this power and instead, live below our potential, spiritually, health-wise and in many other ways. The good news is that Caroline Myss, a leading expert in medical intuition, energy medicine, human consciousness, and higher living, in partnership with Gaia, has created an engaging online series entitled “Sacred Power,” designed to inspire, teach, and gently challenge us to live wholly and with the power of our mystical inheritance.
Caroline Myss is recognized for her many accomplishments, including developing the field of Energy Anatomy, as well as her educational institute, CMED (Caroline Myss Education), offering a wide range of online, on-demand, and in-person programs. Caroline is the author of five New York Times bestselling books including Anatomy of the Spirit, The Creation of Health, Why People Don’t Heal and How the Can, Sacred Contracts, Invisible Acts of Power, Entering the Castle, and Defy Gravity. In addition to her books, Caroline is the host of a weekly Hay House radio show and maintains an energetic international workshop and lecture schedule.
The series begins with exploring Medical Intuition, an emerging field of science that develops the critical role that inner, or soul healing, has on one’s well-being. It involves the stories we tell ourselves and others about our individual suffering and how it negatively impacts our health. In Myss’s words, “Your biography becomes your biology” — our body’s emotional field interacts with our cells and tissues; our internal and external experiences, positive and negative can be transformed into a source of power and healing.
According to Myss, every human being is the owner of an intuitive intelligence or sacred power: “99 percent of the time, you are listening to this intuition, responding to it, and never even notice it.“ Myss doesn’t consider medical intuition a gift that is simply dropped into our laps. She believes it is a skill that needs to be developed and fostered so that we are able to notice, pay attention to, and act upon the “energetic signals” that come our way, every day. But what exactly is “medical intuition” and how do we develop it?
