Are you struggling to understand introverts? Here are things you need to know about introverts to better understand them.

According to research, introverts make up 46.4 percent of the world’s population.

With this statistic, it is almost impossible to go a day without having an encounter with this special group of people.

Yes I understand, it can be a little difficult for extroverts to understand introverts clearly, as they are most often quiet, calm, and reserved.

However, when you come to understand them, you would realize that most of the myths about introverts being shy, depressed, lonely, rude, and anti-social are false.

Here are 7 things you need to know about introverts to help you understand them better;

1. Alone time is important

For an introvert, alone time is non-negotiable as it allows for mindfulness and provides them with the time to re-energize.

This increases their productivity and helps them generate some of their best ideas.

According to research, both extroverts and introverts get exhausted after too much socialization.

This shows that introverts are not the only people in need of alone time.

Introverts are simply at their best when they are alone, or when they are with one or two persons having a cup of coffee.

2. Introverts are deep thinkers

A study by psychologist Hans Eysenck shows that introverts have a higher level of arousal.

They, therefore, seek out solitary time to avoid over-stimulation from external sources.

To Hans, introverts prefer to spend time thinking, pondering, and analyzing experiences.

Introverts are people who are never in a hurry to react or make a decision on something.

Before acting, they first think and then re-analyze.

This reduces their chances of making costly and unnecessary mistakes.

They never feel pressured to take immediate action even in urgent situations.

This can be a good thing knowing that as humans, we tend to make irrational and costly decisions when under pressure.

Introverts simply wait until they become comfortable with the action they’ve decided to take before making their decision.

Patience can be a bit of a challenge for anyone, especially when we are stressed, and we just want to get everything on our table done and dusted.

To introverts, there is time for everything, including the time to make logical and rational decisions.

3. Introverts are not lonely or depressed

The decision of an introvert to be alone is often misinterpreted by many people to mean that they are depressed, socially anxious, or lonely.

Even though research shows a link between introversion and depression, this, however, does not automatically imply that introverts are depressed by nature.

This isn’t the case, as that quiet time is what an introvert needs to recharge, especially after a period of much socialization.

As a result of these assumptions, people show unnecessary concern to introverts by trying to get them out of their rooms for a walk or get them to go out with friends.

This indeed is a confusing situation for extroverts who may not understand the deep-rooted connection between introverts, alone time, and productivity.

So, when other people perceive the decision of introverts to be alone as a sign of loneliness or depression, introverts may find that surprising.

4. Introverts are not rude

It’s natural for introverts to stay reserved and quiet even when they are out socializing.

As a result, other people are quick to qualify them as rude since they find it difficult to know what is going through their minds.

Considering the personality style of introverts, you may need to understand that they may not engage in an interaction with you until they feel comfortable doing so.

Introverts simply love to mind their business and would say a word only when it becomes inevitable or necessary.

This should not be mistaken for rudeness.

5. Introverts are not anti-social

Remember, despite the reserved nature of introverts, they remain human beings who by nature are social animals.

Just as everyone else, introverts also socialize.

However, introverts socialize differently as they do this selectively and deliberately.

This means that an introvert would prefer to get together with a few people than with a large group of people.

This may be because introverts love to give personalized attention to those around them.

With a large group of people, this cannot be achieved.

Also note that since introverts love to spend more time alone, this break affords them the chance to be fully invested in the present and to enjoy themselves when with friends.

Introverts are therefore not anti-social as they are perceived to be.

6. Quiet does not mean shy

Due to the quiet and reserved nature of introverts especially in social settings, they are often labeled as shy.

As stated by author Sophia Dembling in The Introvert’s Way and Introverts in Love.

“Introversion and shyness get confused as they are both related to socializing. However, lack of interest in socializing is not the same as fearing it.”

Sophia Dembling

For introverts, the decision to be alone is characterized by the need to energize to be able to connect with the world better.

This isn’t the same for shy people as their avoidance of social situations is due to their fear of social judgments.

This means that the less interest shown by introverts to social situations is an unpressured decision to use their energy wisely.

It is not because they are scared of social situations.

7.  They don’t need to be fixed

Extroverts often go out of their way to try to get introverts to be like them.

They simply want introverts to become more socially active, engage in small talks and spend more time outdoors.

Since people often associate introversion with social anxiety, they see it as a disorder that needs to be treated.

Many introverts have often experienced situations where they are exposed to social situations which they are seen to be uncomfortable with.

This treatment can be likened to the Exposure therapy given to people with social anxiety disorder.

For example, an introvert may be;

• assigned leadership of a class
• Made to give a public speech
• Engaged in open debate

However, introversion isn’t an ailment that needs to be treated.

So trying to get an introvert to become more social or hang out more often is disrespectful to the introvert, and introverts may often find that annoying.

Personality traits differ, as people have their unique ways of functioning optimally in society.

Where you try to remodel an introvert into becoming an extrovert, expect a weird result.

Conclusion

You are probably an introvert if you can relate to all of the things explained above.

If you are an extrovert, then there is a need to understand all the things explained as it should help you better understand and better relate with all introverts around you.

Bottom-line, introverts are not shy, lonely, depressed, rude, or anti-social people.

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