Hi Hege, as a fellow introvert, I appreciate the way you frame the distinction between introverts and extroverts as being around interactions. As you said, extroverts thrive off more interactions, while introverts want more 'deliberate' interactions, I guess you could say. Extroverts love to chat and mingle, introverts want to think carefully before they speak, we want to organize our thoughts first. I can see how an extrovert could view such behavior as being aloft or 'stuck up'. But it's just a different communication style.
In that regard (considering carefully before talking), I think it's easier for an introvert to appear more extroverted online. I used to tell people 'I am introverted offline, extroverted online. It's complicated' lol But I think there's some truth to that. Some of the communication barriers such as the dreaded 'small talk' are reduced or removed online, and I think that helps introverts such as us more freely communicate.
Thank you so much Mack. I have a feeling there are a lot of introverts here on Substack. I love your input here and I agree. Two completely different ways of being
Hege Kristoffersen on Extroverts and Introverts. Thank you, Hege, great essay. You have a special gift and talent. God bless you. I created an audio overview (podcast) of your essay with NotebookLM AI. It is faithful to your text and the AI adds some of its own observations (8 min.) I’m doing this with my own stories now. It’s a breakthrough for getting feedback and producing options for our delighted readers.
I turned down an invitation to a family get together in Tuscany in May, a week in a rented castle with around 15 of my kin. I can behave normally in a crowd of that size for a day but being immersed for a week, even with family, would see me leaping from the battlements or throwing one or more of my relations over them.
this made me feel so seen. i am able to socialize well but it takes a lot out of me, then i need to be alone for days. i am not shy but I am drained by parties and a lot of noise. i crave silence and yoga and time with my cat and books.
Maybe a fellow traveler will stumble on it before they waste years feeling bad about themselves wondering why they can't small talk like everybody else seems to do so effortlessly
Thanks for the restack David. I completely agree. That’s what I mean by quality interactions. They fuel you whereas superficial interactions take away energy. It’s all about quality over quantity. Whereas extroverts just need to be around people regardless so it’s more about quantity for them. This misconception around what introversion really is is very deeply rooted I feel.
Hi Hege, as a fellow introvert, I appreciate the way you frame the distinction between introverts and extroverts as being around interactions. As you said, extroverts thrive off more interactions, while introverts want more 'deliberate' interactions, I guess you could say. Extroverts love to chat and mingle, introverts want to think carefully before they speak, we want to organize our thoughts first. I can see how an extrovert could view such behavior as being aloft or 'stuck up'. But it's just a different communication style.
In that regard (considering carefully before talking), I think it's easier for an introvert to appear more extroverted online. I used to tell people 'I am introverted offline, extroverted online. It's complicated' lol But I think there's some truth to that. Some of the communication barriers such as the dreaded 'small talk' are reduced or removed online, and I think that helps introverts such as us more freely communicate.
This was a great post, thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much Mack. I have a feeling there are a lot of introverts here on Substack. I love your input here and I agree. Two completely different ways of being
Hege Kristoffersen on Extroverts and Introverts. Thank you, Hege, great essay. You have a special gift and talent. God bless you. I created an audio overview (podcast) of your essay with NotebookLM AI. It is faithful to your text and the AI adds some of its own observations (8 min.) I’m doing this with my own stories now. It’s a breakthrough for getting feedback and producing options for our delighted readers.
https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/f446b2cc-89c1-4485-a0d3-4c195470c626/audio
Stories for All Ages Podcast
https://liveyosemite.wordpress.com/2025/03/18/culture-club/
Thanks for this Douglas! This is definitely something I will look into ✨
I turned down an invitation to a family get together in Tuscany in May, a week in a rented castle with around 15 of my kin. I can behave normally in a crowd of that size for a day but being immersed for a week, even with family, would see me leaping from the battlements or throwing one or more of my relations over them.
Completely understandable. That’s a lot of people!
this made me feel so seen. i am able to socialize well but it takes a lot out of me, then i need to be alone for days. i am not shy but I am drained by parties and a lot of noise. i crave silence and yoga and time with my cat and books.
So glad to hear that Elizabeth! I’m exactly the same ✨
😘
As an introverted HSP hermit, I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, but doggone it, people don't like me. Just kidding...I'm not smart enough.
Very insightful and very helpful article!
Thank you so much David for commenting. Glad it resonated with you. ✨🙏
Maybe a fellow traveler will stumble on it before they waste years feeling bad about themselves wondering why they can't small talk like everybody else seems to do so effortlessly
Let’s hope so David!
I’ve finally realized I must see the big picture of what I’m doing or I cannot do it. Literally cannot. INFJ
That’s a great realisation. Thanks for reading and commenting ✨
So true. Great read❤️
Thank you Ashaki ✨
Thanks for the restack David. I completely agree. That’s what I mean by quality interactions. They fuel you whereas superficial interactions take away energy. It’s all about quality over quantity. Whereas extroverts just need to be around people regardless so it’s more about quantity for them. This misconception around what introversion really is is very deeply rooted I feel.
Thank you so much Mike. So glad it resonated with you. Most people definitely don’t quite get it. So many misconceptions around it!