The secret is to put yourself in the right lighting. For some it’s a Broadway spotlight; for others, a lamplit desk. Susan Cain
My stomach knotted as I pushed open the heavy wooden doors and entered the reception area of the facility where I worked. A group of about a dozen people stood there, waiting eagerly. My heart sank. I was to be their tour guide for the next two hours. To bolster my courage, I had chosen to wear a red suit… my power suit, I called it. It failed. Instead, a wave of panic crashed over me and I wanted to run and hide.
I dreaded those occasions to my core and they would leave me utterly depleted for hours, if not days.
It had long been clear to me that I was different from other people. For instance, I found working in teams beyond challenging. I couldn’t think when there was a lot of noise or if more than one person spoke at a time; my brain would literally shut down. While it seemed that everyone else was having a great time socializing at parties, I would become agitated and find myself yearning to be somewhere else. Anywhere. But. Here. Anywhere quiet.
The list of differences stretched on and on.
All of this threw more fuel on the nagging struggle within: Is this just part of my nature or am I profoundly faulty?
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Thank you!
Loved this article, and your experience. 'Quiet' really changed my life too. Its epiphanous to realise your weaknesses have been strengths all along! I agree that its a must-read for introverted people (and those living with an introvert.)
Thanks for a great insightful read.
Well said! A thoughtful article that explains introversion well :)
I'm an ambivert and as the years have passed I lean much more heavily towards being an introvert... or maybe I've just grown up and my burnout helped me understand there's no need to 'push through' and become someone we just aren't.
I think experiences in life, trauma, the stresses of life and our hormones also contribute to a change in what your body/brain needs and can cope with.
All personalities have such beautiful qualities and are needed in this world, and its nice to know that there's no such thing as 'normal' :)
Thanks for an engaging read Sharon!