There's More Than One Way to Be an Introvert
This isn’t just some catchy headline. It’s true!
But, before getting into the four types and how they move through the world, let’s break this down.
The Difference Between Introversion, Extroversion, and What’s the Deal With Ambiverts
Let’s face it; even I’m sick of labels. So I consider learning more about who we are as people. A way to better understand ourselves and how we can our most fulfilling lives. Maybe even set some boundaries and S.M.A.R.T goals along the way. So here’s what you need to know:
Introversion is not to be confused with shyness. Shyness is a mild form of social anxiety that you can overcome, while introverts are those of us who become over-stimulated during long periods of socialization and need alone time to recharge.
Extroversion is pretty much the opposite and what most people associate with terms like “alpha,” “leader,” and often the coveted “Most Likely to Succeed” award in high school. Those who are extroverts tend to get gratification outside of themselves and are energized by being around others versus spending a lot of time alone.
Ambiverts are precisely who you probably guessed they are. People who don’t lean in one way or another but instead find themselves flipping into either category based on their mood and goals, It’s kind of like being a human mood ring when you’d get that mix of colors and be like “well, which one is it” but probably less stressful.
The 4 Personalities of Introverts: Who They Are & What They're Like
Even as a longtime, proud introvert, I was not aware that there were four types and that you could be a mix of them. If I'm being honest, I thought all introverts were shy, and I was wrong by what you read earlier.
To prove I've learned from the error of my ways, I'm going to review the four types (or "shades of introversion," as Psychologist Jonathan Cheek calls them) based on some research I did on my own and some context clues. Yes, I'm a nerd for personality assessments and learning about people. You'll grow to love it, okay.
Anxious: you feel shy and awkward around people, which causes you to seek out more alone time than most. You're the original edition of the introvert. The overthinker has far too many "uh, that was awkward" moments as you lay in bed at night trying to sleep. I bet you the memory that came up happened years ago, too, right? Yeah, thanks, anxiety.
Reserved: you're the cautious one who likes to think before they act, and you mostly keep to yourself because of it. You should ease into things and try to flow throughout the day than rush into it. Just the thought of rushing starts to give you a headache, and you may be thinking, "maybe I should put that off tomorrow," so you don't stress yourself out.
Social: you're what people now think of when introverts. The chill friend likes small group settings and quiet environments like the local book store or library, maybe even the park. You don't mind large groups, but they're not your cup of tea. They tend to drain you much faster, so you sparingly go to parties and events.
Thinking: ah, the independent daydreamers. You spend a lot of time introspecting and checking in with yourself. Like me, the founder of Dream On Youth, you do your best to look at any situation from all angles, which means you have incredible foresight and are considered forward-thinking. You even have a creative imagination which means you love getting lost in a good book.
While there are four shades of introversion, the great news is you likely aren’t just one!
