In today’s world, it seems like so many people value extroverted traits more and treat us introverts like we’re a problem to be solved. Not everyone loves to be the center of attention; some people even hate the idea of that. If you’re an introvert like me, you know that we’re not as bad as people make us out to be, and there’s actually many positive traits we share!
- Some of the most iconic and influential celebrities are introverts
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Many celebrities are introverts, believe it or not. Some examples of introverted celebrities include: Audrey Hepburn, Tom Hanks, and Meryl Streep. All of these people are extremely successful and will go down in history for their performances on the silver screen. Who knows? Maybe one day, you will be added to the list of well-known, introverted celebrities.
Audrey Hepburn told Life Magazine in 1953, “I have to be alone very often. I’d be quite happy if I spent from Saturday night until Monday morning alone in my apartment. That’s how I refuel.” Sound familiar?
Tom Hanks has also spoken plenty of times about being an introvert. When recalling his childhood in an interview with Rolling Stone, he said, “I was a geek, a spaz. I was horribly, painfully, terribly shy.” He also told New York Magazine, “I spent a lot of time going to plays. I wouldn’t take dates with me. I’d just drive to a theater, buy myself a ticket, sit in a seat, and read the program, and then get back into the play completely. … I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
If both Hepburn and Hanks can make themselves household names without being the most outgoing or social people out there, who’s to say you can’t, either?
- Introverts thrive off of being alone
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Introverts are perfectly content being alone. Extroverts typically need to be around around people to get their energy. As introverts, we tend to get overwhelmed by being around large groups of people. However, it can be difficult to schedule one-on-one time with friends, as people are often busy with college and work — meaning they’re not always available to hang out.
Social distancing and Zoom gloom have made this even more difficult for extroverts, which is why you’ve probably seen quite a few jokes about how introverts have “won” the pandemic. While this past year has been unimaginably hard for everyone, us introverts have probably had just a slightly easier time without as much pressure for socializing.
- Introverts give the best advice
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Introverts have a track record of giving good advice. Despite being more on the quiet side, they pay close attention to things that happen to themselves and others. Introverts remember all the details too, which means that they can use to give lend an ear and/or a hand to help out someone who could need it. Chances are that if you take advice from an introvert, everything will work out the way that it’s supposed to in the end.
There have been countless times where I’ve had encounters with others where they ask me for advice. One of my most vivid memories is when a friend of mine wasn’t sure how to break it to her other friend that she didn’t want to go to the movies with them. I told her to just be honest with them and to explain that she had a lot going on in her life at the moment and that going to the movies would have just added to her stress. I also told her that if they didn’t understand, they weren’t worth being friends with her. It turned out to have worked and they came to an even greater understanding after that.
- Introverts are hard workers
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Introverts tend to have a great work ethic. They are very good at focusing on the things that they’re doing, or the things they need to do, and follow through with them. When they put their mind to something, they won’t stop until it’s done — and done exactly the way they want it. While that may drive some people crazy, it’s more of a blessing than a curse.
With everything that I do, I always put 110 percent into it. While others may do things half-heartedly, that’s never an option for me. Last year in my psychology class, we had to do 300-word summaries of each of the chapters of a book we’d had to read. However, my summaries always ended up being at least 600 words each.
I have also spent more time than I can count in order to make sure that all my assignments are exactly the way that I want them. In fact, I went through this just a couple weeks ago to work on a midterm paper. I wanted to make sure it was as perfect as possible and wouldn’t have allowed myself to submit anything less.
- Introverts are the best people to have as friends
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Introverts make lifelong friends. While they don’t love to be around a ton of people, that doesn’t mean they value the friends they do have any less! They tend to actually cherish those close friends they do have with every atom of their being. They enjoy deep conversations and getting to know people on a personal level.
Both of my closest friends are introverts, and I know that I can count on them for anything and everything. One is an INFJ and I’ve been best friends with her for 10 years. The other is an INFP and I’ve known her for five years. I can go to both of them whenever I need someone to talk to, or when I have something to celebrate. With both of these friendships, we’re completely devoted to each other and our attention never wavers whenever we’re talking or hanging out. I honestly don’t know where I would be without them in my life.
Remember, introverts, we are amazing even if people don’t always understand us. There’s potential inside of each and every one of of us and we are capable of truly great things. Now, go out into the world and show off your perfect, introverted self!