Personality types are not as simple as some of us may think. There is no 'shy' type of person, nor as there simply an 'outgoing' type of person. If you've ever taken the Myers-Briggs personality test, you'll know that we can be categorised into as many as 16 personality types. You might even have the corresponding t-shirt.
However, there are a lot of contradictions within these categories. Just because you're an introvert, doesn't mean you're 'quiet' (and for the love of god, don't call us quiet!)
Here are eight things us introverts wish extroverts knew about us:
1) We're not depressed
Just because an introverted person isn't saying much, it doesn't mean he or she is feeling blue. Sometimes... we have no words! Keep talking to us though - we like to listen.
2) We like people, but...
There is a limit to time we can spend in the company of others before we get antsy and need a 'recharge'. It can be mentally draining to be in a big group of people after a while, even if we love those people. Some time spent with a book usually perks us up.
3) We're better at writing than speaking
Introverts rely more on their long-term memory than short-term memory (extroverts use the latter more) so it takes longer to retrieve the specific words we want from long-term memory. Writing our thoughts down give us more time to gather those words - and omit the 'ums' that can pepper our speech.
4) We're terrible at small talk
Even if it appears like we don't have much to say sometimes - we do. There's a lot going on inside and introvert's brain and those topics generally don't include the weather. Let's skip the small talk and go deep.
5) We're not necessarily shy
You may know many introverts that appear to be extroverts. Many of us have active social lives (even if we're the first to leave parties) and are very comfortable with meeting new people. The same goes for extroverts - they can be shy.
6) We work best alone
When we work in a group, we're multitasking - and for us (most people in fact) multitasking is not the most efficient way for us to work. We'll get far more work done when given some time alone with our brains.
7) We'd rather listen
Just because we're not doing the talking, doesn't mean we're bored - sometimes it's just nice to listen. It also doesn't mean we don't have anything to say: try following up when we're on-to-one to get our take on the subject.
8) We find parties exhausting but...
We still like to be invited. Let me stress this one more time: we like people! We just seem to have an internal timer that starts ticking away in social environments.
Whether we accept the invite or not, just remember that we like you. And please, don't take it personally if we leave the party early.
In conclusion...
Neither introverts nor extroverts fit into perfect personality packages. We have some traits that seem contradictory, others that make us easily predictable.
These aren't just eight things introverts wish extroverts knew - they're also points to recognise in ourselves, and to be honoured.