Jackie Kennedy was the Perfect IntrovertWritten by Nancy R. Fenn
Come of age! Introversion is a legitimate personality style. Introverts have special needs and a different kind of self care than their more numerous companions, extroverts. Jackie Kennedy is almost quintessential introvert. Let's look at her charcteristics and learn about self care. 1. Introverts are territorial. When paparazzi got too close to Jackie Kennedy she hit them with her purse. 2. Introverts love privacy, walks in nature, quiet times and reading. When Jackie's mother married Hugh Auchincloss, they moved to a private estate where gifts of privacy, walks in nature, quiet times and reading were readily available. Although divorce is always upsetting to children, one might hypothesize that Jackie gained some things that were even more important to her well being. 3. Introverts speak softly, especially when they are saying something important. Jackie's voice was unique and a major characteristic of her impact on people. 4. Introverts prefer reading and writing to other means of communication. When Jack Kennedy was on campaign trail, Jackie was often found off to side somewhere reading a philosophy book in French. 5. Introverts appear shy, even weak, but they can stand alone and they don't care what other people think. This can be a great gift where authenticity is concerned. Jackie did not hide her distaste for many aspects of politics and was not afraid to make a strong personal statement -- not in words but in actions. This is a very introverted characteristic.
| | Introverts Have Rich Inner WorldsWritten by Nancy R. Fenn
Here is what one Introvert has to say, primarily about her school years. Shelley McIntyre [fictional name for a real person] is a body worker in Mission Hills area of San Diego. She grew up in northern California. She has a long-established practice and is excellent at what she does. She is an INFP Introvert , a Healer. This is a rare 1% of population. The other 1% group is INTJ Introvert, Mastermind. Shelly begins, “I’ve always had a rich inner life. Growing up, books were my friends. I’d often rather read than relate to people. I never felt there was anything wrong with that, but I had to hide my library books under my mattress because my mother would find them and return them saying I spent too much time reading!! “Doing math in school - - especially at blackboard - - was excruciating because I could always get right answer, but not know how I got it. - - I saw whole process, but couldn’t break down parts to “show my work”. (Intuitive side of me) The problem was, being introverted, I didn’t know how to speak up and defend myself. In fact, that was a major theme in my life - - feeling misunderstood and judged because I was different - - without words to describe my inner experience in a way that others could relate to. I wasn’t willing to be “squeaky wheel” whose needs were always addressed because they spoke up! “In high school, I took drama classes and was in school drama productions, to challenge myself to “come out” more - - I was perceived as shy because I often kept silent in groups, etc. Even though I enjoyed drama, I still felt more comfortable as part of crowd onstage, or in singing and dancing roles, not speaking parts. “I still don’t much enjoy cocktail parties, small talk, initiating phone conversations, speaking to answering machines - - though I’ve, of course, learned to do all that. “I’ve often felt like a “stranger in a strange land”, as though I didn’t fit in with norm. I’m overly sensitive to environment I happen to be in. Other people’s energies distract or often overwhelm me. For example, when my young son was hospitalized years ago, several friends showed up to “support me”, when all I wanted was to be alone to take care of him, keep him calm, pray . . . . I don’t often like to be consoled or comforted when I’m sick. I just want to withdraw from world in order to get well.
|