A soul admitted to itself --

The last post inspired me to ask this.

Sometimes I feel more outgoing/chatty around CERTAIN people, and in certain situations. It's like even though I'm generally introverted, I am not so 24/7.


Anyone else?

First time poster here =]

This is just me being nosy, but do any of you guys find yourselves inexplicably attracted to uber-confident, outgoing people? As friends, I mean? I don't really do close friendships, I'm a bit awkward opening up to people and they never seem to have the patience for it =] But when I think back on any of the 'best friends' I had, they've all been these awesome, extroverted people, completely the opposite of me. I have this one friend who's almost as introverted as me, but for the most part me and my friends are like polar opposites. So, just me or have you guys experienced that as well?

Hello, I'm new on here and I found this community via google search.

I finally figured it out that I'm an introvert only about two weeks ago. Even though I have all of the characteristics of an introvert, I always imagined I was an extrovert who needed to get with the program and act normal -- meaning, try to go to parties and clubs, hoping it would grow on me. I've honestly felt abnormal for a long time because I know a lot of extroverts. I kept asking myself, "Why don't I like parties and clubs and lots of dating and making out with people I just met?" I'm not knocking that lifestyle, I'm just saying I thought it was normal for everyone.

Places like Facebook are the worst for me -- the whole act of counting and showing off the number of "friends" you have. Trying to take great pictures with lots of people.

It's sooo bad and I often feel guilty, but I have so much fun spending time by myself. I develop all of these new hobbies/interests or remember ones I had forgotten. I get to be as big of a geek/nerd as I want to be. I don't have to try to read people's reactions -- which  I do too often. I love people, but too much together time makes me tired.

Anyway, nice to meet you all and glad to find this site/community. I had forgotten all about my online journal, although I often write in my paper one :)

This may seem like a weird question, but how many of you have kids or plan on having them? I'm particularly interested in those of you who have children, and how that affects your introversion. I don't have kids, and I was having a conversation with my mom about my concerns surrounding potential, far-off-in-the-future (hopefully) parenthood, and that came up. I'm scared of having another person constantly dependent on me, and what that might do to my alone time. I know it is a selfish thought, but really introversion is such a part of my identity that I'm afraid not having that time to myself would make me an entirely different person (not in a good way: a bitter, grouchy, exhausted person).
Do introverts make good parents?

For background purposes, I'm a barista at a coffee company. I usually work evenings, but agreed to cover an opening shift, meaning I started work at the lovely time of 4:30 AM.

Our busiest time, predictably, is around morning rush hour. Usually from about 8:00 AM until 10:00 AM. We were in a lull before this period, probably around 6:00 AM, and I was sleepily hunched over one the the espresso bars scribbling on receipt paper. (Since I was working so early in the morning, I decided to just pull an all nighter--since I hadn't slept in 20 hours, and sleep depreciation makes me feel creative, I decided the best use of my downtime was to write a few haiku). Instead of leaving me be in my peace and quiet, one of my coworkers decided to try to strike up a conversation. A coworker I've almost never worked with (since she's a consistent opener and I'm a consistent closer), have nothing in common with (age, background, etc.), and honestly, don't even like.

Her: "So, do you like it when it's like this?"
Me: "Yeah, I guess so."
"Oh, that's weird. Why?"
"I dunno. I guess because I can relax and don't really have to do anything."
"Haha that's one of the laziest things I've ever heard."

I was actually kind of surprised by that statement, This woman is a terrible worker, doesn't know how to make or call drinks, and can barely ring on a register. Being called lazy by a barista (and I use that term loosely) of her caliber was a bit offensive.

"Well, I mean, I feel that I'm keeping busy. Just... mentally busy."
"Mentally busy? What do you mean by that?"
"You know, keeping busy. In my mind. Like, I'm writing haiku just because."
"Um?"

She walked away befuddled. As if the idea of keeping mentally busy was absolutely unheard of. As if she had never before imagined that one's imagination could be sufficient entertainment. As if she had never before performed a mental feat for the simple sake of doing it. Actually, I'm inclined to believe that one.

And that little exchange stuck with me all day. It's the little things that make you remember how wide the gulf between extraverts and introverts, even fairly sociable ones like myself, can be.

I have a lot of online friends, a lot more than I have here in person. Now, if you're anything like me, sometimes whilst you speak/skype/msn/ICQ/aim/yahoo/game/LJ/anythingelse with them you may wonder what their desk and computer and surrounding area looks like.

I do. I often wonder this. I have no idea why, but I often sit and speak with these people or read their LJ entries and wonder what their room and computer set up look like. Perhaps it is just me wanting to get to know them better, I haven't a clue.

I have been reading this community for a long time, (and for some reason just discovered I didn't have posting access and had to arrange that yada yada yada...) I sometimes even comment on an entry or two, every now and then and I have also wondered about people from this community and what their workspaces look like. I guess it is just some strange thoughts from this strange guy.

If you do wonder (as I do), I decided to post a couple pictures of my desk area (to get things started)

It isn't much, but at least you'll have an idea now of where I sit when I talk with people, or post my LJ entries et al. It might even liven up this community a bit, letting us know each other that little bit more.

( Look at the pics here. )

What does your's look like?

I don't understand why people have to point out how quiet I am.  They say it like it's a bad thing.

Sometimes I curse myself for being so quiet.  It is getting lonely.  I wish I could find a best friend who was similar to me, but it's hard.

There is nothing as sad and cruel being an introvert that can't stand being in their own head... 

*sigh*

Hey all,

My former roommate recently suggested that I use lj as a way to form friendships.

As an introvert, I prefer not to go out and socialize all that much. I used to be shy but I've become more outgoing over the past few years, and while I can make friends fairly easily, I'm very picky and find it difficult to find meaningful friendships. I have a significant number of acquaintances, but because of my introverted nature or a lack of common interests, it's difficult to really be close.

I plan on moving in the next year or two and am kinda worried about moving somewhere where I don't know anyone. I am introverted, but I've always had family or my best friend nearby. I feel like I could maintain more friends if I didn't have my best friend but the reason my best friend and I get along so well is because we're both introverted and enjoy introverted activities (board games, reading, learning). Being social is draining for me, so I find it exhausting to go through the process of going out all the time in search of a good match(es).

I feel like my friend may be right about using lj to find friends. It seems simple to join a community about an interest or characteristic that you may have and find people with similar interests. I'm not quite sure about how to actually form friendships or get to know people but it's worth a shot, right?

I finally broke down and made an appointment with a psychologist for my social anxiety. I didn't really know where to post about it, so here I am. It's ironic that the fix for the problem starts with actually talking to someone about it. I'm scared but I hope it'll be good! It's with this person. I've known that I've been introverted for quite awhile, but it has also most definitely been a contributing factor in my anxiety as well.
I've also been reading the book, Self Promotion for Introverts, which has actually been pretty good. Anyway.