The idea of being alone has always sounded so daunting. With social media, there seems to be a constant need to show off what you are doing and who you are with. However, there are people out in the world that do not always long to be around others. And then there are those who are just more comfortable being alone.

The personality theory of being introverted or extroverted was thought of by Carl Jung. Someone who is extroverted would be described as talkative, sociable, action oriented, enthusiastic, and outgoing. These people are not afraid to answer questions in class or talk to people at a party. Most extroverts are ready to have an enjoyable time. They get their energy from being around people. Introverts are the opposite. They are quiet, shy, timid, and nervous. They will not answer questions in class and have a challenging time talking to new people. A social setting might be overwhelming for them. An introvert feels more comfortable being alone and will gain energy through alone time.  

People might see introverts as rude because they do not go out of their way to make conversation, or they avoid social settings when they can, which is not always true. Introverts need more time to re-charge and wind down from a social event. Their brains work slower than extroverts when coming home from being out.

According to the insider article, “What everyone gets wrong about introverts” Lindsay Dodgson states “… for an introvert an event is never just an event. While extroverts can just immediately respond and react to environments, introverts cannot because so much is going on in their head.” 

There are a lot of positives from being introverted. Introverts are good listeners, make close connections, observe, they think before they speak, and they are compassionate. Extroverts are people that want to jump from conversation to conversation, whereas an introvert is more comfortable with having one more meaningful conversation.

“Introverts are especially skilled at noticing introvert qualities in others… They can tell when a person is thinking, processing, and observing, and then give them the space to do so, which makes people feel much more comfortable,” said Carly Breit in her Time article “The Surprising Benefits of Being Introverted.” Because introverts are observant and compassionate, they will always give the best advice and tell you about their opinion from an outsider’s perspective. They can read the room. It is like a silent superpower.  

When introverts are asked what it feels like to be introverted, they respond happily that they “enjoy being alone” says Ellen Vrana on a Quara question who describes herself as “happily introverted.” “Almost all the time I would prefer to be alone.” Eris Bolt says “ I’m not one of those introverts who get really (and I mean really) nervous around people, especially strangers. In fact, although I do get nerves, I can actually socialize quite well. It’s just that I would very much rather not.” 

I am an introvert, and I am perfectly content with it. Sometimes I feel like people might assume I do not want to participate in social activities because they are aware I am introverted. But this is never the case, I enjoy spending quality time and having fun with my friends, it just might take me a little while longer to break out of my nervous shell. Sometimes I wish I were able to make friends and close connections as quickly as someone who is extroverted or has the gravitational pull that brings people towards an extrovert, but I am glad that the connections I have made are strong and meaningful. At the end of the day, I would rather have one close friend that I know cares about me than a group of people I do not know as well.