Yesterday I mentioned that I completed the book this week. The Introvert Advantage by Laurie Helgoe.
I've requested an additional "introvert" book from the library, and hope to receive that in a few weeks. The book was good for a starting point, but it didn't really delve into the variations.
For someone who'd never studied psychology or taken the Myers-Briggs test multiple times over the last twenty years, it would be even more revealing.
I took comfort in the book's suggestion that introverts stop apologizing for what is natural, comfortable, and preferable to us. I nodded along with examples that had been given for refusing to attend social events. The book also contends that while the majority of statistics cited that extroverts are the majority in the United States, we're actually about half and half. Again, more nuance is needed than the scope of this book permits. Mom says she's an introvert, but she's more balanced than I am.
Here are a few quotations I related to:
"Responding honestly on the spot is not easy for introverts, but doing so not only feels better but also makes things easier for us in the long run." [in response to invitations you decline]
"Accept as true your own thinking" Georgia O'Keefe
The "introverting at the party" section provided practical tips like:
-plan your escape [plan A AND B]
-be a flaneur
-find an animal, child, or another introvert to interact with
Really boosts my mood to know that I'm not as "alien" as some might think...
If you want to look inside, buy or just read reviews:
Fascinating. I've never found you "alien" in the least. I actually find your introverted ways endearing. And I'm a died in the wool extrovert.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the compliment. Perhaps that's why we get along so well!
ReplyDelete