For those of you who have never heard the term, an ambivert is someone who finds themselves resting between being an introvert and an extrovert. Growing up, I was very shy and quiet, but as I got older, I became much more outgoing. However, I still find myself holding onto introverted tendencies, which is why I feel the term ambivert resonates a lot with me. Regardless, being an ambivert can sometimes be frustrating. People often misinterpret ambiverts, so that is why I have compiled a list of some things that I would like others to understand.
Sometimes I Need to Recharge
People who identify as ambiverts do not appear awkward or shy in most social situations, which is why many people get angry or confused when they decide to take time for themselves. In reality, many ambiverts enjoy social interactions, but in varying amounts. Personally, I cannot hang out with friends 24/7, or else I become exhausted. Therefore, we often need “recharge” periods where we spend time alone away from the rest of the world. This allows us to be well-rested and ready to be our best selves for our next social activity.
I Work Well in Groups…Sometimes
I know it is a common trait for many ambiverts to be selective of how they work in groups. Unlike extroverts, who enjoy working with others, or introverts, who prefer to work alone, ambiverts find themselves stuck in between welcoming partners and casting aside group projects. Personally, I find that I only enjoy group work if I know the people beforehand. By being acquainted with my partners, I feel much more comfortable than not knowing my group members. Whenever I find myself working on a project with people I don’t know, I always feel much more stressed because I don’t know their work ethic or intelligence levels. Thus, leading me to become frustrated and needing a lot of “recharge” time afterward.
I Like the Spotlight, But on My Terms
For most introverts, the idea of being the center of attention is terrifying. Meanwhile, extroverts tend to welcome it with open arms. However, ambiverts are much more particular. Personally, I find that I only enjoy being the center of attention if I am in control of the situation. For example, I participated in theatre throughout high school, and I was comfortable with that because I had placed myself in the situation and knew exactly how it would play out. In contrast, if we ever played improve games during theatre, I would get extremely nervous and shut down because I felt I was not prepared or in charge of the situation.
Overall, being an ambivert provides an interesting life full of fun and sometimes stressful situations. Being the “in-between” presents its own set of challenges, but it allows ambiverts to be versatile people, who know how to navigate the world in a unique way.