You can’t spot an introvert in a crowd. You may think it’s the guy glued to the wall looking like he’d rather be anywhere else but at that party. But, it could also be the witty girl currently cracking your ribs. (We will look at the difference between shyness and introversion on a later post)

No personality is absolute, including introversion. You could be an extrovert with some introverted tendencies. And vice versa.

So, although this post is titled ’14 signs that show you are an introvert’, I would like to emphasize that not every introvert will display all of these characteristics. A majority of introverts will likely relate with most, but not all of them.

Don’t worry. It doesn’t make you any less of an introvert.

Are you wondering whether you are an introvert? Here are 14 signs that you are:

1.      You Enjoy Spending a Lot of Time Alone

I look forward to days when I can curl up with a book all day and not talk to anyone. I’ll watch a movie alone, play Sudoku on my phone, or just nap. I find it relaxing and rejuvenating, and I do it as much as my schedule will allow. Does this sound like you?

 

2.      You Have an Ever-Active Inner Voice

We all have conversations in our heads. However, for introverts, those conversations never stop. Do you have a distinct inner voice that just keeps going? Will you, in the middle of the day, suddenly remember a Friday five years ago when you were having the worst hair day? You might be an introvert.

3.      You Do Your Best Thinking in Solitude

Your alone time is your most productive. You can finally shut off the world, tune into your thoughts, and be creative. You will find that you will often come up with poetry, music, or ideas for work. Also, if something is bothering you, you are more likely to seek solitude than advice.

4.      You Feel Lonely in a Crowd

Now, this does not mean that you don’t like people. It does mean, however, that you prefer one on one conversations to group discussions. Given a choice, you will pick deep connections and intimate moments over loud encounters.

5.      You Keep a Small Circle of Friends

Aside from two or three people, you consider everyone an acquaintance. You don’t try to get to know them or spend time with them because you don’t want to get overwhelmed. For you, it all comes down to the energy you give and get back. You want enough, but not too much.

6.      You Have Been Called a Good Listener

I’ll remember everything from your mother’s birthday to something you said three years ago as a side note. Because introverts are not trying to get out there, they are comfortable taking the back seat and listening. This makes them both exquisite listeners and the worst people to lie to.

7.      You Like Parties, But You Don’t Enjoy Meeting New People

Sure, you will go to a party every once in a while. But when you do, you don’t mind having fun with the friends you have and going home when it’s over. You’re not trying to start conversations with strangers, and you are content.

8.      You Are an Old Soul

I once asked my friends how old they thought I was. I must say, I felt rather insulted😂🤦‍♀️. Introverts like to take in information. They observe, listen, and read. If they come across a new concept, they want to discover its deeper meaning or unravel any hidden patterns.

Because of this, they could seem wise, even from a very young age.

9.      You Don’t Wish to Be the Center of Attention

If you need to say something to someone, you’ll wait until they’re alone to broach the subject. Nonetheless, you are not afraid to voice your opinion about something you are passionate about. Crowd or not.

10.  You Dread Random Phone Calls

Nothing throws me off my game more than a random buzz from my phone. I will stare at it ringing even if the call is from someone I care about. It’s not that I don’t want to talk to them, I just don’t want to be caught off guard. Are they feeling angry? Happy? Or chill? How about a text, Jane?

11.  You Easily Get Bored of Small Talk

Do you ever envy how your coworkers can chit chat in the hallway without breaking a sweat? Do you duck into your house before your neighbor can come over and say Hi? You are not alone.

The moment someone says, ‘Saturday, huh?’ to me, I freeze. On good days I chuckle, but that’s as far as it goes. It’s even worse when the small talk drones on and on.

It’s not that I’m afraid of small talk, I’d just rather talk about the possibility of a mirror universe.

 

12.  You Notice the Tiniest Details

You remember what shoes your partner was wearing the day you met. You recall smells, colors, spaces, and textures. You notice the subtlest changes in mood and demeanor.

13.  You Don’t Get “high” Off Your Environment

Introverts don’t draw much stimulation from their environment. Check out this scientific study that explains the differences between the brain processes of introverts and extroverts. 

14.  You Alternate Between Alone Time and Socializing

Human beings are social creatures, including introverts. Every once in a while, an introvert will venture into the outside world before retreating into their ‘home’.

Final Thoughts

Introverts are beautiful souls. Of course, people may not always get you, but there is nothing wrong with you. In fact, you bring balance to an otherwise noisy world.

So, go be your introverted self!😘

Question: What other signs of introversion did I miss? Comment below some things that define you as an introvert.

PS: I did leave out some signs from my original list because I don’t relate to them. Not to worry, though, I will address them in a later post titled ‘The loud introvert.’

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