E29. Are You Ready to Feel Proud That You're an Introvert? Here's How to Start Seeing Our Deficit as Our Advantage

Published: June 25, 2021, 1 p.m.

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My work on this podcast and on my blog is all about examining our implicit assumptions about ourselves and the cultures we live in, and in this episode I tackle a big topic: why I think despite all the introvert advocacy online in the last decade, being an introvert still carries a stigma. I think understanding and acceptance of the character trait of introversion is still nominal at best. I want to change that.

In this episode I talk about a big paradigm shift that occurred recently for me in how I see myself as an introvert. Instead of thinking about introversion as signifying I lack something (i.e. the ability to go out in the wider world and be around people without having my energy drained), I am learning how to see it as an advantage. As an introvert, I have an amazing ability to generate my own energy, and most people can't do that - they have to get their energy by interacting with others. I think it's time we start shifting how we talk about introverts, and in this episode I tell you how I'm already doing that.

I also discuss a special subset of introverts, the intuitive types (INFPs and INFJs), who have their own particular skills. Plus, stories from my childhood as a shy, introverted kid abound! So let me ask you: are you ready to feel proud that you're an introvert? If so, this episode is for you!

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