Extroverted Introvert

The Extroverted Introvert

The extroverted introvert - that's me. I am an introvert. Often, when I share this fact about myself, people are surprised. They sometimes declare strongly that it can not be true but they are wrong. It is true.

I am painfully shy. Actually, I am painfully shy in normal social settings. That is another thing that is a little odd. I love talking in front of a group. It energizes me. Talking one on one or in a social setting with a group of people is something very different. It petrifies me. I hate it.

I lose myself talking in front of a group. In the social kind of interaction, I am painfully aware of ME. I don't know what to say. I don't know how to act. It causes me distress and anxiety. AND, worse of all, I don't fit in. EVER.

So, what do I do? I talk. I talk and talk and talk. Talking is what gives folks the idea that I am an extrovert. How could I possibly be shy when I talk so much? Believe me, it is possible.

I do have a lot to say. I think a lot. Where is your focus? Internal or external? When Jung first coined these terms, that was more what he was talking about. I tend to spend my time inside my head whereas an extrovert tends to have their focus on their external environment.

Jung wrote more about where our focus tends to be than about behaviors associated with each focus area. Others have tended to group behaviors into groups labeled introvert and extrovert. Being talkative is considered an extrovert's behavior. Whereas being quiet is associated with introversion.

Now you know, this is not always the case. Just ask your friendly neighborhood extroverted introvert - ME!

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