6 Misunderstandings About Introverts (Your Introverted Friend Wants You to Know)

Introverts, over a third of the population is assumed to possess introvert qualities, yet people often don’t understand the habits and personality of someone who is an introvert at heart.

Why can’t someone enjoy solitude alone? Introverts may be responding to several misunderstandings for the hundredth time due to how much people simply don’t understand them!

No, I don’t hate you. I just want to be alone.

No, I’m not depressed. I just enjoy solitude.

No, I’m not shy. I’m just quiet.

Here are, six things people just don’t understand about introverts.

1. They’re Not Depressed, and They’re Not Mad at You

Someone who doesn’t know an introvert well, may think they are feeling depressed because of how much time they spend in solitude. However, this may not be the case.

Introverts love to have a little alone time, (raises eyebrows).

No, not like that!

They simply may enjoy spending time alone in their room, quiet walks, listening to music, things of that nature.

So next time you think that they are hiding away in their room…

Well, they may just be. I mean introverts love recharging alone in their room.

But! They likely aren’t mad at you, and no, they likely aren’t depressed.

2. They Still Enjoy Company

Just because introverts like to be alone from time to time to recharge and gain some of their energy back from socializing, does not mean they totally hate people.

They even need time away from close friends and family to recharge and gain some energy. When they do have the energy? They wouldn’t mind hanging out with people! Introverts are not simply hermits. Even hermits love a good party every now and then. Right?

Introverts love a good party or social outing! In fact, it wouldn’t hurt to call up your introverted friend and invite them out. No, they aren’t mad at you! Stop thinking that! They just tend to be quiet and would like some alone time…

No! Not like that!

3. Just Because They Are Quiet, Doesn’t Mean They Are Shy

Many people assume introverts are simply shy or that they may have social anxiety because they may not talk as much as the next person. But, quiet does not equate to shyness.

A lot of introverts simply think before they speak.

The thing is, many introverts don’t like small talk. Don’t get offended if they’re not enthralled by your fascinating conversation about that new Diner or Mexican restaurant you went to last weekend and their appetizer menu.

So remember, next time your introverted friend is keeping to himself at your party, maybe he just wants people to stop talking about the mini buffalo wings and salsa platters, and get on to some interesting conversation.

4. Many Introverts Are Successful

You don’t need to be an extrovert to be successful. A lot of introverts have more time to think about who they are and dig into their… soul. It’s true! Life’s existential questions are just waiting to be answered by them.

No seriously, spending time to think and reorganize what you want in life is something many introverts may spend their time doing. When you’re alone, or when you’re into talking about more interesting topics, you have more time to think.

Finding what we want in life, discovering who we are, is something everyone must go through. But introverts have a lot of time to ponder this and learn to feel comfortable with who they truly are. Now, everyone is different.

But, more time spent focused on work, or yourself, means you may have more success when given an opportunity to share said work.

A list of successful introverts is quite long: Albert Einstein, Rosa Parks, Bill Gates, Steven Spielberg, Sir Isaac Newton, Audrey Hepburn, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Page…

The list goes on, and on.

5. They Aren’t Insecure Just Because They Are Quiet

A lot of introverts are quiet. But being quiet does not mean they are insecure.

Similar to people thinking introverts are shy, many might think they have low self-esteem just because they aren’t socializing often or making friends any chance they get.

Next time you think an introverted friend is just insecure, perhaps rethink the idea. Odds are they don’t have low self-esteem, they are just quiet. And what’s so wrong with some good ole silence every now and then?

6. Introverts Still Like to Go Out!

A lot of introverted people enjoy the seclusion at home, but it does not mean they don’t like a day out on the town.

Introverts generally enjoy hanging out and talking with their close friends. So a day out of the house is usually spent with them, or perhaps by themselves as well!

Not all introverts spend every day cooped up at home.

And if they do, who are you to judge?

My bedroom is gosh dang cozy!

Written by Michal Mitchell

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @jackycoocoo for more articles, celebrity interviews, original poetry and more.

Also check out my article: “6 Psychological Tricks Secretly Being Used on You“

References

• Dossey, Larry. “Introverts: A Defense.” EXPLORE, Elsevier, 2 Mar. 2016, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550830716000379?via=ihub.
• Cherry, Kendra. “11 Things Introverts Want You to Know.” Verywell Mind, 27 Apr. 2020, www.verywellmind.com/things-you-didnt-know-about-introverts-4065384.
• Park, Christina. “Introverts: There’s Nothing Wrong With You.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 15 Oct. 2014, www.forbes.com/sites/christinapark/2014/10/15/introverts-theres-nothing-wrong-with-you/.