Oh boy, here I go again. I
have always been intrigued by people, wondering why they do what they do or why
they have specific thoughts at particular times, so I decided to delve into a
bit of reading to understand why people give me weird looks after I have said
or done something.
Apparently, in 2013 the Wall Street Journal published a
controversial article about how introverts can be happier. Of course, it was titled How an Introvert Can be Happier: Act Like an Extrovert, which made
me think of Steve Harvey’s book Act Like
a Lady, Think Like a Man. Titles
like these can be confusing and interpreted to the idea that an individual is
not good enough, so the individual has to act or be like someone else. I do not know about anyone else reading this,
but do you not get sick of playing games likes these? Since when is Halloween every day of the year
or when did we all become un-famous actors and actresses? I hate to admit, but I am not paid enough to
not act like myself, not to mention that part of me acts out enough on her own.
Anyway, this article received much adversary as it seemed the
author may have been a misguided extrovert who possibly had limited introvert
resources. I must admit that in many of
the articles that followed, people enjoyed started the piece with something
similar to ‘…it is a proven fact that
introverts have more fun as extroverts,’ yet I could not find any credentials
in these particular articles to prove this statement. Where are the statistics? Where is the quote from the doctor who has
done research studies? Where is Dr.
Phil?...Sorry, got off track there.
One article I found acknowledged how offended many introverts were by this
article with statements such as “I don’t
want extroverts defining or interpreting what happiness is for me,’ or
discussing matters of how prejudice society can be on introverts because the
typical belief is that everyone should be dancing, singing, and flailing their
arms singing “Happy, happy, joy, joy…,’ when that is not the case at all. What is not recognized is that there is
happiness in contentment. I, personally never
felt that it was wrong to stay in some nights to enjoy a little Netflix instead
of going out to drink every night,
Other articles in reference to Wall Street included myths that
were stereotypical thoughts, but were honest, especially considering I could
relate to the author in that I also am a “INFJ.” (If you do not understand this, please look
up the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, which gives a personality assessment.) I took this test once in relation to a dating
site where everyone thought they had to reveal this particular entity and found
out exactly what I had known about myself all along. One, the idea that introverts do not like to
talk is completely NOT me. I mean, look
at this post; does this look like the post of a person who does not like to
talk? No, it is of a person who does not
waste her words on nothingness only please the small-minded tater tot brains
that soon hiss out helium from too much extroverted activity. Note:
I am not saying this is bad, I am saying it is not an activity for
everyone.
Another myth that sparked me was the idea that introverts are
rude. Oh. My. Goodness! I am probably one of those who does not have
a heart to be rude, but I will be honest.
(Yes folks, those are two different things and if you do not understand
them, look them up or…TOO BAD!) Why
should I feel obligated to talk to a person if nothing is going to come of
it? Do I have to jump up and down at the
pure shred of an insignificant task that you accomplished? (Yay! You wrote your
name, illegibly, but you wrote your name!---Can you hear the heart monitor flat
line at the simplicity of the task?
Sorry, you are not in grade school and I am not going to treat you that
way either.)
Then there is the idea that an introvert does not like people or
socialize. Three letters come to mind:
WTF?! That is right! Pure and utter
confusion. I love people! Good people.
Decent people. People who do not
numb my existence down to that of a telletubby.
I am not asking anyone to sit here and swoon over everything I do or
say, so why should I do that for them?
It is called mutual respect here, people!
Ugh! A little frustration
goes a long way these days. However, I did find an interesting slideshow explaining how to understand an introvert.
Great, now I need a ‘how to’ guide to understand how I function. Why not just write a book called ‘Understanding
Introverts for Dummies: For Misguided Extroverts and Confused Introverts.’ (Enter blank stare) Yeah, I did not know I
came with instructions, a tush tag maybe, but instructions is stretching
it. What I learned from the slideshow is
that I am asexual in producing energy with a need to recharge. Does that sound like a bad batter pun to
anyone else? What is comical is that in
slide five, I feel as though, being an introvert, is like interaction with an
extinct animal. “How to interact with an
introvert…Say hello,…it is important for introverts to feel welcome…go back to
whatever you were doing…Now the introverts know that you are friendly and open
to interaction” (Shakes head) Now I am an animal that may bite if
threatened. Just do not poke me with a
stick! Actually….I might bite for sheer
pleasure of this. I might actually
invest in that caution sign to wear around my neck, “I bite when threatened.”
Maybe I am just nuts (and for those of you who actually know me,
no comment from the peanut gallery), but why is being quiet and thought
provoking considered awkward or abnormal?
I still like to talk and socialize, but I also like to write the
thoughts that come into my head to see them form on paper or even just analyze
things in general. I have this thing
called a mind and unfortunately is does not contain an ‘off’ button allowing me
to continuously ask questions and ponder the dear sweet questions that prohibit
society from acknowledging their denial of life.
Should I have been more blunt with that?;)
Caution: This post contains high amounts of sarcasm that may blow
your mind. Enjoy!!
Here are a couple other articles I found interesting:
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