Like Dale, I grew up in a small town. Everyone in my high
school knew each other by their first name. Looking back at my high school
career, I feel that I was an extrovert. I was active in several clubs including
Spanish Club, National Honors Society, and FFA. Acting as the secretary of my
FFA club for two years, I was sort of expected to be an extrovert. Outside of
school, I was actively involved in two 4-H clubs, where I served as Vice
President. I think the reason I demonstrated extroversion was due to the fact
that I knew all of the people I was interacting with. It gave me a sense of
comfort and allowed me to be more open and less nervous.
Now that I am in college, I would have to describe myself as
mostly an introvert, but I would not say that I do not have an extrovert side.
When it comes to meeting new people I behave like an introvert. I do not open
up to people because I am often shy and quiet. It is kind of strange actually,
over the summer I was a sales representative for CutCo and I had to give
demonstrations to random people all of the time. For my first couple
demonstrations, I was nervous, but once I knew what I was talking about I was comfortable.
After rereading this, it sounds like I am crazy and I don’t know what I am. I
think overall people are not entirely extroverted or introverted. They probably
demonstrate one more than the other, but I think there is a small part of both
in every person.
I agree with what you said about the lack of identity. There are times where I can be clearly extroverted, but maybe in the same day - even a few hours later - I will be an introvert. I love what Susan Cain said about the lack of mutual exclusiveness of introversion and extroversion. In her book, it says "there is no such thing as a pure extrovert or a pure introvert. Such a man would be in the lunatic asylum." This confirms what we have experienced in our lives, which is a consistent personality label.
ReplyDeleteI am on the same page as you with growing up in a small town because I grew up in a very small town where almost everyone knew each other. You make very good points and examples. I agree that there can be a small part of each in everyone. Everyone is different with what they experience in there life.
ReplyDeleteSmall town USA? Were we neighbors? I share a very similar experience in growing up. I lived in the middle of nowhere and everyone knew everybody. I, however, was a complete introvert in elementary school. Once I found myself in middle school, I can say I went extroverted all the way! My life experiences have been similar to yours, but in reverse. I often find times, even now, that I can feel myself slipping back into the introverted way of life, but then I remember I have a voice! I completely agree that every individual has a little bit of both sides in them, it just takes certain situations to bring it out.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more with you when you state that "I think overall people are not entirely extroverted or introverted." I believe that this holds true to myself while I was in high school and now in college. I was the complete opposite of you I was an introverted person in high and I didn't put myself out there very often. Now that i came to college that was my main priority, I'm now a member of a social fraternity and also involved in 2 clubs. From that transition I was able to learn a lot more about myself and the friends around me that were really there for me.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely with what you said about how you think people have a little bit of introvert and extrovert qualities in them. I agree with this because I know for me at least I have a little bit of both. I am more of an extrovert except when it comes to giving speeches then I am more of an introvert. I too am from a small town where everyone knows your business even when you don't want them to. My graduating class in high school was 112 and that was a big class for my school. I like how you made the comparison between you and Dale from the reading. I also liked the way your blog entry flowed and how you broke it up with two paragraphs. I feel that made it easier to read. Overall I think you did a great job!
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