I think I straddle the line somewhere between being introverted and extroverted.
The way I’d describe it to myself would be an extroverted introvert hahah.
I do love being around people so much and that can really pump me up. But it has to be the right people. Also too many people (I’m really bad with crowds or busy shopping centres) or for too long and I’m like just get me out of here
Jenn, thank you for sharing a thoughtful post. You’ve inspired lots of interesting comments.
I’m drawn to silence and solitude and tend to move away from noise and crowds.
Community can be quiet and thoughtful. A big rock in my life is to participate in a week long silent retreat with a group of people many of whom I’ve never met. I’m always struck by the feeling of connection without the need for words.
I do enjoy listening and sharing thoughts but usually one to one or in small groups.
So good to hear from you Aileen. The idea of a week long silent retreat sounds unreal.....but I could see the appeal to people like me. I like to wander in the woods and look up....some people say it is forest bathing. I soak in the colors, the smells, the bird sounds and the feeling of calm.
"There - I said it. I am an introvert. I crave solitude. I’d rather spend time alone than with other people." I'm right there with you, Jenn. The balance is so crucial, but the woods and a book call me all the time.
I like how Perspectives from a Canoe is now a recurring series! I really identify with this post, I’m about as introverted as it gets. Thanks for the links, I’ll check them out.
So glad this resonates with you. I think it took me a year to put these words on "paper" but I feel better now.
I like to spend quiet moments in the early morning listening to the birds and having a cup of coffee. Going for a walk in the woods is one of my favorite things to do.
And thank you for following my Grand Canyon adventure.....I was hoping someone was reading it....:)
Jenn, I am so sorry to hear you had to face a bully at work, but sounds like you made the right decision to move on. Sometimes it’s those painful experiences that move us forward. I had a similar experience which made me quit and start my business.
Thank you again for the shout out. I think there are many of us on this platform who are introverts!
Thanks for sharing this, Jenn. I imagine canoeing to be a perfect recharge activity. I too am more introverted than extroverted. For me, I use my weekly hikes as a way to recharge mentally. Those 2-3 hours of hiking without people are pure gold to me.
Introvert and the book by Susan Cain was so refreshing to read. There is nothing wrong with me. :) I, too, recharge by being alone. Thank you for sharing!
I was quiet and shy growing up. It was my drive to want to accomplish things that forced me out my comfort zone. I joke that I am hard-wired to be quiet due to being half-Finnish. I have always wondered if that was a natural selection outcome from Finns being on a battlefield for centuries between Russia and Sweden. I spent a chunk of my career in HR before moving into other leadership roles, so I would be hard pressed to say I am an introvert; however, I tend to be an observer/listener and particularly enjoy the quiet of the outdoors.
You definitely seem like you enjoy and thrive with what you do now.....interacting with community organizations and helping others. Interesting about a Finnish connection. I have German roots. Like you, I could spend hours on a ski trail and be very happy with that.
Every time somebody confesses to being an introvert (as if it’s a crime!) I feel obligated by law to recommend the book Quiet by Susan Cain. Sorry if you’ve already read it—as I said, it’s the law.
I have two of her books - Quiet and Quiet Power - and yes, she seems to be the most quoted authority on being an introvert. I keep returning to her book for inspiration. I really never knew I was an introvert until last year.
Isn’t it funny how sometimes it’s exactly the things that define us that remain hidden from us for the longest time? Maybe some of your friends knew you were an introvert before you realized it yourself!
Appreciate you sharing your thoughts on this topic. It's weird, put a mic in front of me, and I will talk for ages. But, as I've aged, my natural state has become one of an introvert. I no longer need to be the center of attention, win an argument, or be the shiniest object the room. I find myself most at peace when I can just be.
Thank you for responding. A year ago I do not think I could and would write this post. However, I am inspired by a lot of our fellow writers here and that helped. I do think as we age, we become more settled with who we are.
I think I straddle the line somewhere between being introverted and extroverted.
The way I’d describe it to myself would be an extroverted introvert hahah.
I do love being around people so much and that can really pump me up. But it has to be the right people. Also too many people (I’m really bad with crowds or busy shopping centres) or for too long and I’m like just get me out of here
Many people are in between being an introvert and an extrovert. I definitely agree with you. That has to be the right people.
Put me in a room of people I know and am comfortable with and I’m super extraverted. I’ll be the first one up to dance etc
Put me in a room of people I don’t know and I’ll find a corner to stand in until someone comes to me to introduce themselves
Pretty much one extreme or the other 😅
Jenn, thank you for sharing a thoughtful post. You’ve inspired lots of interesting comments.
I’m drawn to silence and solitude and tend to move away from noise and crowds.
Community can be quiet and thoughtful. A big rock in my life is to participate in a week long silent retreat with a group of people many of whom I’ve never met. I’m always struck by the feeling of connection without the need for words.
I do enjoy listening and sharing thoughts but usually one to one or in small groups.
Writing plays into my reflective nature.
So good to hear from you Aileen. The idea of a week long silent retreat sounds unreal.....but I could see the appeal to people like me. I like to wander in the woods and look up....some people say it is forest bathing. I soak in the colors, the smells, the bird sounds and the feeling of calm.
Your woodland walk sounds idyllic!
"There - I said it. I am an introvert. I crave solitude. I’d rather spend time alone than with other people." I'm right there with you, Jenn. The balance is so crucial, but the woods and a book call me all the time.
Yes, I need to get out there soon. Thank you for your kind words.
I like how Perspectives from a Canoe is now a recurring series! I really identify with this post, I’m about as introverted as it gets. Thanks for the links, I’ll check them out.
Thank you Erik - appreciate your support.
Jenn, this resonates. Owning your introversion is a superpower.
What small rituals help you shift from a people-packed day into that calm canoe state? Excited to follow your Grand Canyon journey!
Stay wild and gently introverted
So glad this resonates with you. I think it took me a year to put these words on "paper" but I feel better now.
I like to spend quiet moments in the early morning listening to the birds and having a cup of coffee. Going for a walk in the woods is one of my favorite things to do.
And thank you for following my Grand Canyon adventure.....I was hoping someone was reading it....:)
Jenn, I am so sorry to hear you had to face a bully at work, but sounds like you made the right decision to move on. Sometimes it’s those painful experiences that move us forward. I had a similar experience which made me quit and start my business.
Thank you again for the shout out. I think there are many of us on this platform who are introverts!
Keep writing such soul-quenching posts!
Thanks for sharing this, Jenn. I imagine canoeing to be a perfect recharge activity. I too am more introverted than extroverted. For me, I use my weekly hikes as a way to recharge mentally. Those 2-3 hours of hiking without people are pure gold to me.
Introvert and the book by Susan Cain was so refreshing to read. There is nothing wrong with me. :) I, too, recharge by being alone. Thank you for sharing!
I think being a runner and enjoying being out there for hours and hours is one of my favorite things to do.
me too!
I was quiet and shy growing up. It was my drive to want to accomplish things that forced me out my comfort zone. I joke that I am hard-wired to be quiet due to being half-Finnish. I have always wondered if that was a natural selection outcome from Finns being on a battlefield for centuries between Russia and Sweden. I spent a chunk of my career in HR before moving into other leadership roles, so I would be hard pressed to say I am an introvert; however, I tend to be an observer/listener and particularly enjoy the quiet of the outdoors.
You definitely seem like you enjoy and thrive with what you do now.....interacting with community organizations and helping others. Interesting about a Finnish connection. I have German roots. Like you, I could spend hours on a ski trail and be very happy with that.
Every time somebody confesses to being an introvert (as if it’s a crime!) I feel obligated by law to recommend the book Quiet by Susan Cain. Sorry if you’ve already read it—as I said, it’s the law.
Thank you for writing this.
I have two of her books - Quiet and Quiet Power - and yes, she seems to be the most quoted authority on being an introvert. I keep returning to her book for inspiration. I really never knew I was an introvert until last year.
Isn’t it funny how sometimes it’s exactly the things that define us that remain hidden from us for the longest time? Maybe some of your friends knew you were an introvert before you realized it yourself!
So true.
Introverts unite (then disband for a week of alone time). 😅
So true. I am working on another week of alone time right now.....
Appreciate you sharing your thoughts on this topic. It's weird, put a mic in front of me, and I will talk for ages. But, as I've aged, my natural state has become one of an introvert. I no longer need to be the center of attention, win an argument, or be the shiniest object the room. I find myself most at peace when I can just be.
Thank you for responding. A year ago I do not think I could and would write this post. However, I am inspired by a lot of our fellow writers here and that helped. I do think as we age, we become more settled with who we are.
so true
Here's to being an introvert! Thank you for this thoughtful sharing, Jenn.