Things some of us enjoy more than anything else might sound like a total headache to others, often because of our personality type. It's especially common when it comes to extraverts and introverts. These terms, introduced by Carl Jung in the early 1920s, separate people who use socializing like a flower uses sunlight from those who need peace and quiet to recharge their batteries.
Today we’re focusing on the latter. Introverts are the perfect counterweight to all the social butterflies, but they might face difficulties interacting with them. These and similar issues are covered by the Facebook page 'Introvert Problems'. Their often amusing and oh-so-relatable content has already attracted over 3.5 million followers, and taken so many introverted people down the memory lane of such situations they’ve encountered themselves. Scroll down for some of their best examples.
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Being introverted usually means you prefer focusing on your inner world and the state of your mind instead of other people and the outer world. Representatives of this psychological type tend to be more reserved or withdrawn; they might prefer working individually instead of as a team.
Such common features often lead to a prevailing misconception that they don't like socializing. This is not true, as lots of them are happy to engage in social activities - however, they might be selective about them.
Because of the way the brain is wired, introverts and extraverts react differently to stimulating places with lots of people. It’s not that the former feel some sort of animosity towards them, they simply are not 'rewarded' the same way as extraverts are after socializing.
Psychology Today pointed out that because of the make-up of their nervous system, they produce less dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with reward, when participating in social gatherings.
Yes, yes, yes!!! I can talk the hind leg off a donkey to people I know, yet some people never hear me speak
Some introverted people take part in parties or large gatherings nevertheless. However, they might take some time to recharge their social battery after. They often need alone time to unwind, escape the stimulating environment, and process recent events. Not doing so can lead to feeling overwhelmed or irritated.
We have enormous capacity to find ways to keep ourselves entertained that don't need to involve other people
It has allowed me to get very used to using the response "I'll see how I go", and pretty much everyone else used to realising that it's going to be a no.
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Arrgh! That is one of my pet peeves. Come November the company will ask you to put in your notice for NEXT years vacation. How on EARTH do I know what I want then. As it was I had to put in, so I chose two weeks in April, two weeks in September and the rest as required. That is set in stone and NOW I want to take 3 weeks vacation in September...
that’s why what a good inviter should do is invite you with plenty of notice, and let you decide day of
The perfect time span during which to ask usually lasts exactly one second.
At my advanced age, the best thing about making plans is cancelling them.
You can't hear your support group, because they're just sitting there quietly...
Me and my bestie speaking about hang out : we see us someday this week depending on the weather and the mood. 😎 No stress, no pressure. We never call, if ones calls, the other stops all and answer or call back.
Preferably the evening of the day before. Gives me enough time to overcome the Leaving the comfort zone anxiety, and not enough time to start Upcoming Event trepidation!
As someone with a chronic illness's, I never know from one day to the next if I'll be able to fulfill the plans I made when I wasn't dressing with symptoms. I hate letting people down by cancelling plans, so I just don't make any
When they saw how hard it was to get anyone to commit to a meetup date in advance, and no-one agreed to anything on short notice, the support group fell apart.
I'm right here with you! But this has improved over the last few years. Dunno why.
there is no support group because none of us want to go, there are people there
You don't need a support group you just need to grow a pair. Once you leave your hermit hole you'll remember why you said yes in the first place.
Yeah, I kinda here ya there. But it's SO hard to do it. Exhausting actually. But I usually have fun when I get there...even tho I remind myself I'll never do it again
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Why do I need to agree to plans if you want to spend time with me email me and we'll set something up !
not an introvert, but i have adhd and whenever i want to do something it's like " we either do it NOW or we do it NEVER " and it's very annoying because im socially exhausted but also exhausted because i'm not social 😭😭😭 like wtf brain
It is estimated that around 25% to 40% of the population are introverts. Even though each person is different, those sharing the same personality type might face similar problems. For introverts, they often include feeling the need to recharge the aforementioned social battery, finding the right environment or people for socializing, or even making a phone call.
Yep, or worse you get told you are boring or repetitive or digress too much or whatever, then you realise you are surrounded by narcissists and it's not worth bothering.
Small talk can work as kryptonite for introverted people as well. Understandably so—when the percentage of your battery is getting low, the last thing you want to do is waste it talking about the weather. Introverts tend to dread it because it doesn’t lead to actually getting to know the person and seeing if there’s a way to form a deeper connection. Instead, they are draining themselves out discussing frivolous things.
This. This is why I don't sleep sometimes. The silence is so pure, so deep and clear. I'm finally at peace.
According to the lecturer and the author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, Susan Cain, introverts have to deal with a certain social bias. In her TED talk, she pointed out that a lot of significant institutions, such as schools or workplaces, are mostly designed for extraverts. These places are highly stimulating and often require working in teams, which might be the less productive option for introverted individuals.
In her talk, Susan Cain also emphasized that the way to maximize people’s talents is to put them in the right zone of social stimulation. According to her, introverts feel best at quieter, low-key environments, which allow them to reach their full potential, while extraverts need way more stimulation.
I do this. I wait until 2:15ish so I can eat my lunch in peace, or I go to my car
Susan Krauss Whitbourne, a professor emerita of psychological and brain sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, pointed out some situations that might help you determine whether you’re an introvert or not. Some include being the last one in the group to express your opinion, avoiding small talk, and using headphones to isolate yourself from the rest of the world.
I believe that's why we are introverts. We notice all the s**t that's going on and want nothing to do with it. We are observant first then introverts because of it
In Psychology Today, Dr. Susan Krauss Whitbourne also described some advantages of being an introvert. People with this personality type rarely let something unexpected slip in social situations. In addition to that, they don’t feel bored being on their own, and they don’t rush to interrupt people, which can make them excellent listeners.
Even though people usually suggest the two options when it comes to personality types, there is actually a third one—the middle ground between introvert and extravert. People who feature traits from both sides are known as ambiverts, and are believed to make up as much as 68% of the population.
These pictures allow everyone to catch a glimpse of what hoops introverts have to jump through in their daily lives. Their source, the Facebook page 'Introvert Problems', created back in 2016, currently has over 3,500 likes and 3,600 people following it. The numbers show that their content is undoubtedly relatable to lots of people out there.
I could look at that all day... I can look out my bedroom window at nothing for literally hours
Verrry rookie numbers. But I probably wouldn't have said that out loud, just in my head
They call it an exciting idea. I call it a frightening one. Maybe that would work for a family or friend group. It's a gigantic nope for me.
Absofrikinlutely. Why should I sound shaky and stupid on the phone when I can spend 10 minutes composing a decent email?
and if there's going to multiple outings in a week I'm going to need 3 weeks notice to prepare
Even worse when they ask about neighbours, their names, their kids etc. I just live here, i don't keep track of everyone else in the street. I hardly keep track of myself most of the time.
Note: this post originally had 126 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
Again, a post where "introvert" gets mixed up with anxiety, being shy, having no social skills, etc.. Being introvert does not necessarily mean that you have problems interacting with people. It just means you do not enjoy it all the time or as much as others might.
Word. Introversion doesn't mean I can't socialize -- socializing is a learned skill, not an innate ability you're born with -- it means that I just need a moment alone to decompress every once in while when I'm with other people.
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I'm tired of the 'introvert' posts! Introversion is not anxiety of shyness!
right? like i relate to these but not every introvert does.
Load More Replies... Bored Panda Bingo - Now I just need an article about Malicious Compliance at work, something comparing the US to the rest of the world, and someone's "quirky" cartoons about life!!
You forgot quirky real estate as found on some other website!!
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Extrovert bashing seems to be Bored Panda's favourite national sport, right after American bashing.
Introvert Problems”: 50 Of The Funniest Jokes That Sum Up Life As An Introvert! What is so funny about how I want to live my life? If I want to be quiet why can't I be, if I don't want to socialise why should I. Why do I feel moked by a writer that in her own bio says she likes to socialise. Sorry for the rant and moan.
This doesn't feel relatable, I'm an introvert but I don't like being in my house all the time or 'recharging.
Some interverts like going out and some don't. I heard there are 4 types. Sorry, had to retype this because of embarrassment.
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I have social anxiety, and TOO MUCH activity going on around me at the same time will absolutely PARALYZE me. So will sounds and smells that are way too loud. SENSORY OVERLOAD!!!!
Tbh, some introverts like going out, but also don’t? Like, if it’s someone ur comfortable with, it’s ok, you’ll prolly have fun, but if it’s someone new, u don’t really wanna? Or maybe the reverse? I don’t know, but it’s how it is for me. If u ask me about smth that interests me, u can’t get me to shut up. And if ur my friend and I know u and I’m comfortable with u then sure I’ll leave the house but otherwise not really I guess…
I don't understand all the comments on here about introversion not being shy...I don't think I read anything that mentioned being shy. Though I do agree a few of them sound more like anxiety. My introversion is going "out" during the day instead of at night or on the weekend when everyone else is out
I like people in person but en masse they're too much. People are freaking exhausting in groups. Don't invade my personal space which is about ten feet in diameter and don't talk to me if I'm obviously reading something. I don't care if that's introversion or social anxiety or shyness. Call it what you will, it all amounts to the same thing in the long run. I might have all three conditions but I'm not a pedant about labelling. Just keep out of my space and don't talk to me unless I smile at you first. Who cares what condition it might be if the symptoms are pretty much the same? It doesn't matter which if the behaviour is the same. Good grief 🤬
The best sales call I ever had. Flew from Chicago to Phoenix. Sales rep picked me up. Drove to corporate office. Waited. They cancelled the meeting. I was so happy
I am lucky to be deaf, because it allows me to stop unwanted social interaction dead in its tracks, as in, "I am deaf and I don't sign or read lips". Then I just stare at them as they get flustered and scurry away. Score! 🙂
Again, a post where "introvert" gets mixed up with anxiety, being shy, having no social skills, etc.. Being introvert does not necessarily mean that you have problems interacting with people. It just means you do not enjoy it all the time or as much as others might.
Word. Introversion doesn't mean I can't socialize -- socializing is a learned skill, not an innate ability you're born with -- it means that I just need a moment alone to decompress every once in while when I'm with other people.
Load More Replies... I'm tired of the 'introvert' posts! Introversion is not anxiety of shyness!
right? like i relate to these but not every introvert does.
Load More Replies... Bored Panda Bingo - Now I just need an article about Malicious Compliance at work, something comparing the US to the rest of the world, and someone's "quirky" cartoons about life!!
You forgot quirky real estate as found on some other website!!
Load More Replies... Extrovert bashing seems to be Bored Panda's favourite national sport, right after American bashing.
Introvert Problems”: 50 Of The Funniest Jokes That Sum Up Life As An Introvert! What is so funny about how I want to live my life? If I want to be quiet why can't I be, if I don't want to socialise why should I. Why do I feel moked by a writer that in her own bio says she likes to socialise. Sorry for the rant and moan.
This doesn't feel relatable, I'm an introvert but I don't like being in my house all the time or 'recharging.
Some interverts like going out and some don't. I heard there are 4 types. Sorry, had to retype this because of embarrassment.
Load More Replies... I have social anxiety, and TOO MUCH activity going on around me at the same time will absolutely PARALYZE me. So will sounds and smells that are way too loud. SENSORY OVERLOAD!!!!
Tbh, some introverts like going out, but also don’t? Like, if it’s someone ur comfortable with, it’s ok, you’ll prolly have fun, but if it’s someone new, u don’t really wanna? Or maybe the reverse? I don’t know, but it’s how it is for me. If u ask me about smth that interests me, u can’t get me to shut up. And if ur my friend and I know u and I’m comfortable with u then sure I’ll leave the house but otherwise not really I guess…
I don't understand all the comments on here about introversion not being shy...I don't think I read anything that mentioned being shy. Though I do agree a few of them sound more like anxiety. My introversion is going "out" during the day instead of at night or on the weekend when everyone else is out
I like people in person but en masse they're too much. People are freaking exhausting in groups. Don't invade my personal space which is about ten feet in diameter and don't talk to me if I'm obviously reading something. I don't care if that's introversion or social anxiety or shyness. Call it what you will, it all amounts to the same thing in the long run. I might have all three conditions but I'm not a pedant about labelling. Just keep out of my space and don't talk to me unless I smile at you first. Who cares what condition it might be if the symptoms are pretty much the same? It doesn't matter which if the behaviour is the same. Good grief 🤬
The best sales call I ever had. Flew from Chicago to Phoenix. Sales rep picked me up. Drove to corporate office. Waited. They cancelled the meeting. I was so happy
I am lucky to be deaf, because it allows me to stop unwanted social interaction dead in its tracks, as in, "I am deaf and I don't sign or read lips". Then I just stare at them as they get flustered and scurry away. Score! 🙂
