I used to identify as an introvert, until LJ introduced me to people who strongly identified as introverts and I realized that I actually do enjoy some social interaction more than that. Prior to that, it had never occurred to me to say "sorry, can't, too introverted right now" to any invitation to be social. I do enjoy alone time and I don't think I could ever be considered an extrovert, but my introversion has never been such that I need to beg off hanging out with people. Anytime I've begged off, it was because of tiredness/illness/feeling down, not because of introversion. I have been known to sometimes leave parties early, but I think that's not so much a function of being introverted as it is of just feeling that I don't fit in there (not being a drinker or enjoying being around people who are drinking is a big reason for that feeling, a lot of the time) and I'd rather be elsewhere. If it's a gathering for something I really enjoy, then it's not an issue - I can be around a couple thousand people at one of Amma's programs and be perfectly happy.
Sometimes I find it tiresome to have conversations even with people I consider friends, but again, I don't chalk that up to introversion, but different conversational styles. I dislike small talk and repetition and statements of the obvious and other unconsidered things that seem intended to keep a conversation going at all costs, and sometimes I have more patience with that than others.
So, yeah. I don't use the i-word to describe myself so much anymore, because it seems as though I'm not really what an introvert is. I'd call myself "quiet" because I think that sums me up as far as social habits - I'm a homebody and I don't like noise or crowds - but DJ would laugh his ass off, because I'm not exactly a quiet personality, either. Maybe I'm Introvert Lite? :)
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I used to identify as an introvert, until LJ introduced me to people who strongly identified as introverts and I realized that I actually do enjoy some social interaction more than that. Prior to that, it had never occurred to me to say "sorry, can't, too introverted right now" to any invitation to be social. I do enjoy alone time and I don't think I could ever be considered an extrovert, but my introversion has never been such that I need to beg off hanging out with people. Anytime I've begged off, it was because of tiredness/illness/feeling down, not because of introversion. I have been known to sometimes leave parties early, but I think that's not so much a function of being introverted as it is of just feeling that I don't fit in there (not being a drinker or enjoying being around people who are drinking is a big reason for that feeling, a lot of the time) and I'd rather be elsewhere. If it's a gathering for something I really enjoy, then it's not an issue - I can be around a couple thousand people at one of Amma's programs and be perfectly happy.
Sometimes I find it tiresome to have conversations even with people I consider friends, but again, I don't chalk that up to introversion, but different conversational styles. I dislike small talk and repetition and statements of the obvious and other unconsidered things that seem intended to keep a conversation going at all costs, and sometimes I have more patience with that than others.
So, yeah. I don't use the i-word to describe myself so much anymore, because it seems as though I'm not really what an introvert is. I'd call myself "quiet" because I think that sums me up as far as social habits - I'm a homebody and I don't like noise or crowds - but DJ would laugh his ass off, because I'm not exactly a quiet personality, either. Maybe I'm Introvert Lite? :)