I joined Google+ to meet other introverts,
share thoughts and experience and promote my blog. Before discovering that I am
an introvert, I’ve often felt different, isolated and/or strange when I’d react
differently from extroverts in a given situation. Joining this community made
me understand that I’m not the only one feeling that way.
Recently, I’ve noticed an increase in
negativity in my feed. I get that the internet is a great place to vent and let
go of your frustrations. I get that in real life, those people with negative
posts may be a lot more positive about interacting with others. That said,
being surrounded by so much negativity is tiring and makes me feel different,
isolated and strange all over again.
I’ve seen all sorts of quotes about extroverts,
interacting with people, wanting to be alone. Truth is I rarely agree with
them. I don’t think extroverts are inherently bad people. I don’t think I’d be
happier on my own. I want to interact with people, go to parties, make new
friends. That doesn’t make me an extrovert.
Just like many posts about feminism on Tumblr
(and probably on other social media too), many posts about introversion/extroversion
on Google+ are complete crap to me. Treating men as evil creatures doesn’t make
you a stronger woman or a feminist. Treating extrovert as if their purpose in
life was to inflict pain on introverts is just as ridiculous and vain.
I believe in understanding others and their
motives, sharing and communicating to make everyone’s life easier. Obviously,
it is not always possible or realistic or effective. But saying “I’m an
introvert and this is how I perceive this given situation” is making a step in
the right direction. It is gaining more respect from others (extroverts
included) than shutting down everyone around while silently complaining in your
head.
No one should hide behind the fact that they
are introverts (or extroverts!) to act like they do. If you don’t listen to
people when they talk, it is not because you are an extrovert; it is because
you choose not to. If you don’t have many friends like I do, it is not because
you are an introvert; it is because like me you don’t make efforts to make new
ones.
Human being are complex creatures, and I’m
getting tired of people using only side of one’s personality to define them and
using this as an excuse or a cause to everything they do. In literature, it is
called a synecdoche.
I’ve attended 5S training in England last week.
I met six new people from all Europe. I obviously had an introvert moment at
the beginning of the week. From the first day though, I’ve spent my evenings
with the team and did not escape to the loneliness of my hotel room. I’ve
learned a lot about them and I’m looking forward working with them again. They
were pretty surprised to learn that I’m an introvert (as most people). I can be
an introvert and be a social being. The counterpart of that week is that I
spent most of my week end hidden in my bed, alone with a book (and social
media).
So please, stop justifying your negativity by
the fact that you are an introvert…
