INTROVERTS THREAD ...shhhh, we're over here

[NorksAreMessy]

Hello fellow introverts. I hope the last thread exploded due to time since it was started, and not because it was controversial. :o

I started the original thread after reading the wonderful book quiet and realizing that I was not alone.

Lots of people were kind enough to share their thoughts and experiences, and it was a good support for those of us who like being alone; hate parties, especially hen nights; love reading, crafting, walking, painting, creating; enjoy solitude; need some recovery time after being in a crowd; prefer thought to action.

We are not necessarily shy, we can be confident and even outspoken, but we are at our happiest having a bit of a think on our own, thanks all the same

It's a bit odd to have a group of introverts, but I prefer to think of us as a collective. Separate but together.

As Christmas approaches, I thought we might need a thread to help us through it all

Is there a meet up planned?i meet so many extroverts in this parenting world. I would love to meet a few introverts(am fuelled by a couple of glasses of vino). I thought introverts had been stiffledby extrovertsbut it appears not .......

Gosh it's hard to keep up with you all!

Merlot I struggled my way through a degree in medicine wondering why studying the thing I had set my heart on was making me so miserable. It's only now that I understand.

I now lecture in a completely different professional field which I love - van deal with a room full if people if I don't have to speak to them individually.

If any of you haven't taken the Myer Briggs test I would recommend it. I need to look up my details which I saved somewhere, but the thing I do remember is my 89% preference for introversion. Reading through all the detail really struck a chord and has helped me make more sense of myself.

Btw I love the idea of a Quiet Room. The previous thread really helped me to feel happier with myself than I have done in ages and it would be great to know where to find like minded antisocial people.

Oh dear, lots of people want to come round this week, 4 in total. One I've not met before and 3 very sociable, ring everyday family members.

The worst part is they all want to come over separately. I don't think I have enough awkward small talk to stretch that far!

My family love to go out in groups, go clubbing and host dinner parties. Its always a bit of a conversation killer when they ask me what I've been up to and its never any different.

Hey, just took the Myer Briggs test and came out as an INFP. It's very accurate.

An introverts meet up?
Hmmmmm
Is that an oxymoron, or would it look like a long walk on a hill together or a knitting group, or a library full of cubicles?
I would like to meet you, as I think we would get along, but then there is the introversion thing :)

maths you are funny :)

The difference is that we are not actually TALKING. I find it so much easier to write than to talk, because you can THINK for longer before you write anything.

Plus, For a lot of people, the knowledge that there are LOTS of people JUST LIKE THEM has been a joy, as it was for me.

The thing is, I'm not a misanthropist. Im interested in people and really enjoy hearing people's stories, one to one, I just find it exhausting and need plenty of down time afterwards. I got through my training thinking 'it'll be better when....' for 10 years then when I got out the other side, became increasingly miserable. Getting into academic medicine has saved me, as I get to spend 2 days of the week alone in the office, or teaching (which I can cope with fine), and a day a week seeing patients.

My adopted motto is 'feel the fear and do it anyway', which I think was probably originally intended for more exciting activities than phoning the plumber, but hey, it works for me!

I found Myers-Briggs really helpful, because I'd always felt that I was different, but had thought that was just my ego talking, and maybe I just didn't cope as well as others, iykwim? M-B was objective proof, that yes, I do approach things differently, and that's ok because I have my own strengths.

Anyway, it's a clinic day

I'm just marking my place so if they move the thread I wont loose it.

I was on the other two threads too.

Strangely 'people' is my work too, but quietly, not 'hospitality'.
I have not read through all the thread so forgive me if this has been discussed already. < Mumbles into back of hand> Christmas. How do you all cope?

Sorry Christmas is in OP. innit.

I am having a lovely pottering day with DS (2) today. His big sister is at nursery this morning. We have been to the shops and singing group (lots of people, but no chit chat as we all have to join in and I can sprint off at the end) and now I am pottering in the kitchen whole he trashes the playroom.

And after lunch hopefully he will have a lovely nap!

De-lurking to say how much I appreciate this thread . DH is extremely extrovert and has thought me very odd for how much I enjoy staying in the house so now at least I know why I do it.

I come out as ISTJ and am a SAHM :).

Afternoon all.
I asked very kindly for our own little topic.
MNHQ said NO :(

BUT, we are in 'Other Subjects', which is sort of apt, as I do feel like an 'other' quite a lot of the time; and it means that the thread wont disappear

"Other" is very apt indeed :)

hello pinot
kitten IS underway...but RL keeps interrupting.

Morning everyone!

I'm an ISFJ and a SAHM - really interesting test, thank you for suggesting it.

That's a shame, I liked the idea of 'The Quiet Room'. However, at least we won't have to deal with the wails from people about how there are too many topics already and it really should be stripped down to 'Parenting' and 'Other Stuff' - which is usually followed by various people agreeing but with the caveat that their particular interest is oh so important that it should definitely be kept separate

I like the idea of meeting other introverts, but a full scale meet-up would be troublesome :) We'd need some kind of activity to avoid the need for small talk, like a games club, or something crafty, or something.

ooh you are too lovely! xx

Ah, it was worth a try Norks At least we've been saved, as it were.

You can all come to my house. I'll get you all a cup of tea or a glass of wine and then go and hide in the bathroom.

There are two TV's, a very well stocked library, lots of cookery books, a year's worth of Elle Decorations, a piano and an infinite pile of ironing. Help yourself to whatever floats your boat. Top ups available in the kitchen. Alternative bathrooms for hiding in available on the other floors.

Norks I do appreciate that it's nice to find kindred spirits as introverts tend to be overlooked. It just seemed really ironic that one day after I'd posted there was quite so much to read through. I like typing too as I can delete things and try again if I don't think they've come out right. I don't like the fact that real life doesn't let me do that.

Do all you telephone haters much prefer email? I certainly do. I find it really annoying that every business doesn't have a website and an email adress I can use to communicate with them, even though I am quite capable of speaking on the phone if I've had time to prepare myself. People at work get a bit annoyed with me as I email them about things other members of staff would just pop across and talk to somebody about.

Yes I hate the phone. I hide behind emails and texts, but even with those I'm not too reliable. I really like my own space and resent people intruding sometimes

Glad we've at least got a permanent 'home' if not a topic of our own - I guess we introverts are used to fitting in without making a fuss

I like email and texts too - I don't answer the phone if it rings - I have an answer-phone and if it is important people will leave a message... then I can decide if I really want to talk to them enough to call back.

Oh and Mathsdidi ... I sort of like being generally overlooked...

"Other" people think it is sad being an introvert but I find it quite cosy and nice....

I don't answer the phone either. I consider a ringing phone to be a request for my attention, one I can accept or ignore, not a demand which needs to be instantly dealt with.

my MIL does not agree