As Introverts have found the power to express themselves through the use of digital mediums, it is no surprise that the origins of World Introvert Day lie in the Internet itself. The World Introvert Day started with blog post of psychologist Felicitas Heyne, who called for the World Introvert Day to be celebrated on 2nd January. The reasoning behind choosing this date was that on 2nd January, Introverts all over the world breathe a sigh of collective relief as it is the end of the holiday season and they won’t be nagged by their loved ones anymore.
So who are Introverts exactly?
Introverts, according to Jung, are distinguished by their inward focus and tendency to be more reserved and reflective. They prefer solitude and find that spending time alone energizes them.
It is no rocket science to say that our world is more ‘extrovert-centric’. So, Introverts face a unique struggle when it comes to expressing their wants, and their feelings and are often misunderstood by general peers. In an interview, Susan Cain, the author of the best-selling book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, talks about the cultural domination of extroverts.
Susan Cain says:
“In a way education by its nature favours the extrovert because you are taking kids and putting them into a big classroom, which is automatically going to be a high-stimulation environment. Probably the best way of teaching in general is one-on-one, but that's not something everyone can afford. So, school ends up becoming this place where introverted kids learn that they have to act like extroverts.”
So, an Introvert faces an uphill battle right from the start whether it be education, career, or even personal relationships.
For an Introvert, every day is a battle against their own mind. They are constantly trying to fit into the expected norms of society, and most of their daily habits or hobbies are frowned upon. Like going out on a date alone, sitting alone in a room with a book or just not wanting to speak up.
In relationships, Introverts are more likely to take their very own time to open up. It would often take more than three meetings for them to come out of their shell. They usually refrain from smaller conversations but could talk days about their aspirations, ideas, goals, and values, and generally look for quality time together rather than a burst of external stimuli.
Now, it is important to note that each introvert is a different person and many Introverts won’t fit into the expected stereotypes. There are many Introverts who are outgoing, but at the same time require some ‘me-time’ to recharge their batteries.
Emma Watson, the famed star of Harry Potter, has been quite vocal about being an Introvert. In an interview, she said:
“I feel a pressure when I'm meeting new people because I'm aware of their expectations, That makes socializing difficult. Which isn't to say that when I'm in a small group and around my friends, I don't love to dance and be extroverted. I am just extremely self-conscious in public.”
In a workplace, Introverts might appear as someone out of the ordinary to the upper management. They usually spend their free time alone, communicate through writing and being more organised. Introverts often feel undervalued, misunderstood or have insufficient time or space to think.
Child Help Foundation is committed to making all children feel heard. We have conducted numerous mental health sessions, which are beneficial to introverted minds.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Make sure to share this with your introverted friend.