Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Where the Quiet Speak Freely
I was fascinated at how quickly I could relate to the examples from Quiet. Early on, it mentioned that many people are "closet introverts": introverts that hide or may not even realize their closed personality. I had never heard this term before, but it seemed to immediately connect to how I feel most of the time. Through high school, I had a small group of friends, but never really opened up to them. I would not say I had trust issues with them, I just did not care to share what was happening with myself. In 2009 I met my girlfriend, Kaitlin, and quickly became very comfortable and extrovert-like towards her. In 2012, we went to study at Edinboro University. I quickly made some friends, but kept that number small. It was as though I could only take being around people in small doses. When I was with them, I would laugh, talk, go out to eat, etc.. However, I found myself always wandering back to my mind. Kait (also very introverted) and I would have no problem being in the same room, not saying a word for long periods of time, lost in our own thoughts. When it came time for breaks from school, our friends from home (Wellsboro) would text us and we would begin making plans for hanging out and seeing one another. More times than not, we would spend our breaks at home, or deep in the Grand Canyon. We are so much more comfortable around each other and away from everyone and everything. This topic has already begun to shine some light on my personality to myself. My first job was as a cashier at our local Rite Aid. I hated it. I hated the customers and dealing with the corporate environment. I only lasted a few months before I had to leave. I then got a job at a local restaurant working in the kitchen. I've been there 3 years now. Last summer, I had an internship working with an IT team and was the happiest I could be. Very little social interaction, just losing myself in the network. I've realized I like to be lost in the sense of being far from reality and society. Whether it be in the quiet of the woods, on a computer system communicating with IP and MAC addresses, or just in my own head.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Do you become drained when you are around a lot of people? It seems that with introverts like us we can only handle a handful of people before we start to get claustrophobic or really tired. I'm also like you in the sense I can hang out with my friends in small doses because sometimes they don't want to sit and watch a movie, they have to be doing an physical activity (like a board game). It is nice just to be able to sit with your girlfriend and not have to do anything. You know that is the right person since you can just sit there and make silly faces or have a serious discussion with them and not have to worry about entertaining them 24/7.
ReplyDeleteTo begin, I like your title. Your title is soft, yet forthcoming at the same time. Your title is soft and forthcoming because closet introverts are slowing beckoning away from the closet. Would you call yourself a closet introvert? You mentioned that your girlfriend and yourself are not extroverts. When you both met individuals (friends) in college, were they considered introverts or extroverts? I am glad you like your recent job. I work two jobs, one being a cashier at a convenient store. Convenient stores are not easy. Sometimes you deal with customers whom you don't know how to make happy. Because you were not comfortable at your old job, you got out of there and found something you liked and appreciated better. Good for you! Some extroverts and introverts wouldn't do that because they are afraid of change. Your picture is located somewhere in the mountains. Do you like to travel to hidden places to clear your mind? to get away from people? or to just be yourself? I enjoyed reading your blog entry.
ReplyDeleteYou touched on how you noticed more extroversion in yourself when interacting with your girlfriend, and I can relate. I feel as though we do tend to fall deeper for those whom are personalities do puzzle together very well with, hence why you have been in this relationship for so long. I have noticed that I can spend time with introverts for longer periods of time without needing to be alone, and I think this has to do with the common structure of how that time is spent; like you wrote, you both do not mind the silence and that is your structure.
ReplyDeleteYou make excellent points and I can relate to how you were in high school I had a few very close friends and although I was probably more open about everything with them, I was not always surrounded by crowds of people. I enjoy time to myself and time with people but if I have too much time around groups I get overwhelmed and exhausted. I think it is great that you have realized the kind of jobs that work for you, not everyone is meant to be in the front line at the jobs with constant contact with people; I find the people behind the scenes are the backbone to companies/industries.
ReplyDeleteIn your text I really like your points and examples they reinforce your topic very well. I completely agree with you that sometimes even with other people around you can always find yourself drifting into your own head. It's great that you found someone who feels the same as you and that you feel comfortable with them. An outlet to the woods or away from people is a great way to avoid becoming overwhelmed with people. Also, its great that you have found jobs or careers that fit into your personality and that you are comfortable with it.
ReplyDeleteI can relate a lot to what you said. I don't have too many friends, just less than a handful and I am only extroverted with them, but with everyone I am very introverted. I think I can only handle a group of about three other people to socialize with at a time, if there is more, I don't say anything. I am not sure why, but maybe I then view them as an audience. I never had a job like a cashier or at a restaurant, but I don't to because I know I wouldn't like it also and I would prefer to work privately. I am glad were able to find a job that is great for you.
ReplyDelete