Good News for Introverts

She grew up shy and quiet, and thinking something was wrong with her. She enjoys silence and being alone. She’s not articulate in groups, but thoughts and words come easily when she writes. When she talks she doesn’t sound as knowledgeable as she is. Her thoughts come out slowly, jumbled, or not at all. Her brain is slow to process what others say. She’ll think of what she wished she’d said, but it’s too late to say it. Social events wear her out. After being out in the world she’s wound up and has trouble sleeping. She’s an introvert.

Donald Miller, in Blue Like Jazz, compares himself to an electric drill needing to be charged for twenty hours in order to run for ten minutes. He needs a lot of down time, yet recognizes the need we all have for people, and the danger of being alone too much. Introverts are quiet and reclusive. Extroverts are outgoing and social. Extroverts gain energy in a group and introverts lose energy in a group.

I have good news for all introverts out there. There’s nothing wrong with being quiet and reserved. God designed you the way you are. If there were no introverts there would be no writers! There’s now scientific and psychological evidence that being an introvert has advantages. Marti Olsen Laney in, The Introvert Advantage, gives valuable tips to help introverts not just get by, but actually flourish in our extroverted world.

Enjoy the book. Introverts love to read. I know because I’m an introvert.

You created my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:13-14

Blessings, Dottie