What Type of Introvert are You?
“Introverts naturally need and want to pull away sometimes. We go quiet to gather our thoughts or disappear for a while to daydream.”
My children inspire my posts. I watch them learn from their life experiences and I learn along with them. However, it’s my youngest daughter (age 9) who proactively looks for materials and topics for me to write about. You can call her my muse! She found this interesting little video of the four types of introverts.
Credit goes to Psych2Go You Tube channel and research from Cheek, J.M., Brown, C.A., & Grimes, J.O. (2014, Sept.). Personality scales for four domains of introversion: Social, Thinking, Anxious, and Restrained Introversion. Preliminary Research Manual, Department of Psychology, Wellesley College, Wellesley MA. Retrieved 23 July from www.academia.edu/7353616/Four_Meanings_of_Introversion_Social_Thinking_Anxious_and_Inhibited_Introversion
We all know that people cannot be put in buckets and boxed in to a particular trait. We are unique, complex and sometimes messy individuals. However, learning and understanding how you behave and react in certain circumstances will help you develop greater self-awareness to choose the appropriate responses to the difficult and awkward situations in your life.
I don’t like the traditional definition of “introvert” i.e., a shy and reticent individual. Introverts are often thought of as being shy. It’s because we are quiet and we think a lot in our heads. The better explanation of introversion and one that I resonate with is where we draw our energy from. Introverts draw our energy from within ourselves. We find joy in spending time alone, doing what we enjoy or just being who we are in a quiet place. Extroverts draw their energy from social interaction and conversations and are generally more open to expressing their thoughts aloud. Shyness can be overcome. Introversion is part of who you are.
This little video explains the four types of introverts. I can relate to all 4 types and know that I show them at different times of my life. Have a think about the type(s) that you resonate most with.
Social Introvert
Being a social introvert, you enjoy spending time with your close friends and are comfortable in being open and honest with your friends. You are relaxed and at ease with them. Those who don’t know you well may even think you are extroverted when they see you with your friends. However, like the other types of introverts, you crave time alone, to recharge and refresh yourself. My children think that I fall into this category because I enjoy social interaction, especially when I’m talking about my passions - coaching and empowering introverted women. At the same time, I also love doing this - spending time by myself, writing my posts and just reading and thinking about the information I’ve gathered. I can go on for hours doing this and will feel energised, walking away with a sense of contentment and accomplishment.
Thinking Introvert
I believe all introverts often show traits of being a thinking introvert as we enjoy being with our thoughts. We spend time imagining our lives - all the possibilities and living out our dream lives in our minds. What we need is that push to get out of our heads and to start living our dream outside our minds. We are introspective and truly in-tune with our emotions. I know my middle daughter shows this trait a lot especially when she is focused on a piece of work or when she is thinking of what to bake. She has a creative imagination and yet, is hesitant to voice her thoughts even to me. It takes time for her to open up and trust that what she shares to anyone will be received with the same care and love as when she conceived those thoughts in her mind.
Anxious Introvert
You can say that an anxious introvert is the opposite of a social introvert. They are very self-conscious in social settings and perhaps, a little too hard on themselves. They worry about doing or not doing the “right” thing in a social event, before, during and even long after the event has ended. I see this trait in all of m 3 children. My teenage son would avoid social events if he knows that he will be put in the spotlight. He doesn’t want the attention. My youngest daughter wants to make more friends and she often discusses approaches on how to start conversations with her potential new friends with us. It provides her comfort and assurance when she practises these conversations with us. I’m really happy that she is making the effort to do so and this is her act of pushing out of her comfort zone.
Restrained Introvert
Restrained introverts thrive in their routines. They are willing to be out in social events but will require advance planning and have a clear idea of what is expected of them in these events. They don’t like surprises or unforeseen changes. They need time to “warm up”, to gather their thoughts and are very careful before they articulate their thoughts to their listeners. Restrained introverts find it challenging to be impromptu in brainstorming meetings and prefer to share their ideas in writing circulated to the participants prior to the meetings. I often coach my restrained introverted clients to find their unique ways to be comfortable and “step out” to present their thoughts to their audience.
What has come up for you as you read the descriptions of the 4 types of introverts? Do they relate to any of them? What areas are challenging for you?
If being visible and being more comfortable in showing up professionally is something you need to step out from your comfort zone, I would love to discuss how my signature program - Introverted Visibility - can help you get started in doing so. Book your complimentary 30-minutes discovery call with me today!
