The Princess Who Read Too Much

Written by Nancy R. Fenn


Elizabeth Houston is a biology research professional. She is an infp type of introvert, calledrepparttar Healer. Introversion is a legitimate personality type and there are actually 8 different types of introverts. Healers make up a very small percentage ofrepparttar 130733 population, only about 2%. They have a serene and calming effect on others and are committed to personal growth, authenticity and acts of great lovingness.

I asked Elizabeth to describe what it was like growing up introverted in an extroverted world. This is her story.

Growing up as an introvert in a world of extroverts that doesn't accept introverts as normal, is painful inrepparttar 130734 extreme. Unless you're fortunate enough to have another introvert in your immediate family or social network as a child, you're isolated and always feel like you're alone, even in a big crowd. Being around people is exhausting and you need to get away. My retreat was always into books.

I remember one summer (7th grade?) where I spent most ofrepparttar 130735 summer reading. My mother was always trying to get me to go outside, get my head out ofrepparttar 130736 books, and play likerepparttar 130737 rest ofrepparttar 130738 kids. My father would comment atrepparttar 130739 dinner table that "the princess has decided to grace us with her presence". When your parents ridicule you for being different, your siblings will treat yourepparttar 130740 same way; learned behavior at its worst.

Because you're quiet, most ofrepparttar 130741 time people think you don't have anything to say or contribute and are surprised when you offer a suggestion or even if you say anything. When I was a senior in high school, I had Economics with one ofrepparttar 130742 world's worst teachers. I sat towardsrepparttar 130743 back and kept a small group of students in stitches with my snide remarks (by 12th grade I had found that I had a voice and used it more). I think they were all shocked because all those years in school, they never suspected that I had a sense of humor.

All through school I was never part of any one clique. I had acquaintances in most ofrepparttar 130744 groups but never belonged to any of them. I didn't feelrepparttar 130745 need. I was in Brownies for one year and 4-H for one year; I never likerepparttar 130746 organized group thing. I wanted to do what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it, not when someone told me I could do it. Of course,repparttar 130747 whole group integration thing is difficult when you don't seerepparttar 130748 point in making "small talk" and useless conversation. That, I've never been good at.

Teachers always liked me because I was quiet, didn't cause trouble, generally followedrepparttar 130749 rules (at least when I was younger!), and did well in my school work. Of course, my siblings hated me for it. Most of my pre-college education was spent trying to keep a low profile and hoping I wouldn't be noticed. The ultimate horror: doing math problems onrepparttar 130750 board in front ofrepparttar 130751 class. I had a geometry class in 9th grade, where everyone else was in 11 or 12th grade, and where we had to do proofs onrepparttar 130752 board. Each class was an agony of anticipation and then relief if I wasn't chosen. The Agony andrepparttar 130753 Ecstasy, so to speak (you know, I read that book in 6th grade?!).

As an adult, it's not so bad. I know I'm okay and I don't care if other people don't get me; that's just too bad. I'm very protective of my personal space and need lots of alone time. Extroverts are horrified if you tell them that you like going to movies by yourself or if you buy yourself flowers just because you want to, or any other of a dozen other things that they just can't envision doing by themselves.

Introverts are their own best friends, which makes them better friends to others. We're picky about who we let into our lives and to what extent. Just leave us alone and we will accomplish miracles! Introverts really rulerepparttar 130754 world--we just letrepparttar 130755 extroverts think they do!

Let Them Read!

Written by Nancy R. Fenn


Asrepparttar IntrovertZCoach, my job is to help my introverted clients develop a positive self image. You see, for many years people didn't understand that introversion is a legitimate personality style. The great psychiatrist, Karl Jung, who was an introvert himself, wasrepparttar 130730 first to give this fact positive validation. That was a great day for introverts!

Introverts make up around 30% ofrepparttar 130731 general population. Prior to Karl Jung's discoveries, our personalities were defined byrepparttar 130732 70% majority who think we are shy, anti-social, even neurotic and mentally ill.

Introverts aren't mentally ill. In fact, there's nothing wrong with us at all. Let me explain where I thinkrepparttar 130733 confusion comes from. When extroverted people become stressed they tend to drink, smoke and can get violent. Obnoxious as this behavior is, it is not considered mentally ill. When introverts become stressed, they tend to withdraw and can get depressed. Extroverts don't understand this behavior and label it mentally ill.

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