Raven and I are both introverts. I’m not actually complaining. I like being an introvert. But in this day and age of social networking and upping website ratings by linkbacks, trackbacks, and comments, it does cause some challenges. Before I get into that, you may have heard the term “introvert” but may not know the full definition or where it came from.
Introvert, extrovert, and ambivert were a phrases popularized by Carl Jung around 1913 to describe personality types. There are more to these than the modern stereotypes of introverts hiding under desks or extroverts talking non-stop. To clarify from Wikipedia, “An extroverted person enjoys and becomes energized by larger groups of people while time alone is less enjoyable and boring to them. Extroverts aren’t necessarily unintelligent or uncaring but tend to speak or act before putting much thought into what they do; not entirely realizing the lasting effects of their decisions.”
Introverts by contrast “are people whose energy tends to expand through reflection and dwindle during interaction. Introverts tend to be more reserved and less outspoken in large groups . . . . They are more analytical before speaking. Introversion is not necessarily the same as shyness or the social outcast. Introverts choose solitary over social activities by preference. Whereas shy people—who may be extroverts at heart—avoid social encounters out of fear and the social “outcast” not by choice.”
An Ambivert is someone who shows tendencies of both extroverts and introverts.
So you see, I’m not shy. I tend to be analytical, formulating responses to situations, and testing the water before I dive in. Though not all the time! 🙂 After all, if you look too long over the cliff, you often lose your nerve to jump. I bought a manual speed Jeep without knowing how to drive one (because I knew it was what I wanted), was the first to jump off the zip-line platform, and made Raven follow me into scuba lessons. Heck, Raven and I did elope! Everyone has traits that tend towards extrovert or introvert.
However, it is the lens on how Raven and I see the world. It affects how we interact and view society and even how we travel. Ever wonder why he and I tend to prefer motorcycles and sailing to buses and planes? We can be alone on a motorcycle. In full gear, we are even armored! Our upcoming cruise to the Caribbean has us both a little bug eyed. A ship full of . . . people? Talk about stretching your comfort zone!
But the point of this post is not just telling you that I have a problem divulging my personal affairs or that most of my posts go through three iterations before being published – ever wondered why most of the posts here are stories rather than “I went here updates?” Some introverts have embraced the social networking media, finding blogging an easier method to disclose their thoughts. In some ways I do, but Raven is better at it (first draft posting every time!).
But the biggest hamper I see for an introvert in this age of social networking, where likes can be broadcast or articles voted up or down with the press of a button is all the thinking that goes on between reading and pressing that button! “What does it mean if I like something? Do you really care if I comment? Is that what I really want to say?” Really, you extroverts would be shaking me silly over all of this!
Over thinking and weighing every angle tends to slow you down in the web world. Site ranking elevates with each link and track back. Comments not only network with other bloggers, but get your name on different sites. Spending time on Facebook, Twitter, Stumble, and Reddit bring new readers. I understand how it all works, but it is like navigating and alien planet. I feel like some things aren’t coming through in the translation or that the atmosphere is too dense for me to move properly.
So when lost in a new world, one of the best things to do is ask for directions . . .