7 x things you recognize as an extroverted introvert
I often wonder if I belong to the group ‘introvert’ or rather to camp ‘extravert.’ I really can't call myself shy, but the idea of going to a birthday party with more than ten guests gives me blind panic. Large groups of people: I find nothing more exhausting than that. I don't recharge from other people; I actually recharge from being alone. But that doesn't mean I can't intensely enjoy parties, bars, and having conversations with new interesting people. After such activities, I just need a considerable amount of time to ‘recover’ because it costs me buckets of energy. Does this sound familiar? Then you might be just like me an extraverted introvert, also known as an ‘ambivert.’ You will definitely recognize the points below as an ambivert.
1. You also enjoy being alone
Where the extravert is constantly looking for stimuli, the ambivert really needs to schedule some ‘me-time’ to compensate for all the hustle and bustle. This is something that other people don't expect because you are out so much. But I find nothing better than being home alone on a Friday night. I experience the so-called ‘fear of missing out’ as anything but. After doing absolutely nothing on a Friday night, I am recharged for a Saturday night out.
2. You don't approach others quickly
When you engage in a conversation with me, I can talk your ears off without any effort. But approaching someone myself? I don't do that. I have no idea why this is, it probably has something to do with fear or just not feeling like it.
3. Others perceive you as extraverted
Because you are very open in conversations and can be quite present in groups, others naturally assume that you are an extravert. They have no clue that you are secretly itching to completely isolate yourself from the outside world the next day.
4. You have a limit
From one moment to the next, you can suddenly be completely at your limit regarding social appointments. This tipping point can be reached quite suddenly, and everything in your body screams: ‘You need to take a break now.’ I often have such moments when I cram too many appointments into a week; I can't even muster the energy to participate in a conversation, even if it's with my best friends. By the way, this feeling often overwhelms me when I'm at a party; the Houdini is then my best friend.
5. You often regret appointments
That limit is reached when I plan way too many appointments during my extraverted phases. The introvert looks at the agenda on Monday and thinks: fuck, what have I done? Regret comes around the corner, and often some appointments are canceled because I know that otherwise, I will become overstimulated.
6. You need to mentally prepare for every appointment
It doesn't matter who I have an appointment with: for every meeting, I need to prepare myself well. For weeks, I can look forward to a party, but when the evening is almost there, I dread it. At the same time, I also know that I will have a fantastic evening as soon as I start dancing. As an extraverted introvert, you just have to push through this.
7. You are used as a psychologist
As an introverted extravert, you possess two strengths: speaking and listening. Because of this, you often serve as a mediator in conflicts and are good at giving advice to people.
