As the description reads, the ‘Introverted Struggle’ Instagram account is dedicated to relatable introvert memes, and the fact it has over 450k followers already—created just a couple of years ago, in February, 2021—proves that people must indeed find them relatable. Or funny, at least.
The account boasts a collection of nearly 2.7k posts, depicting the everyday struggles of introverts out there; and, according to Verywell Mind, they comprise roughly 25-40% of the entire population.
Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung is the one who distinguished introverts from extroverts in the early 20th century. He suggested that extroverts tend to direct their attention toward others and the outside world, while introverts do it toward their own feelings and inner state.
Licensed clinical psychologist Leon Seltzer discussed the differences between the two with Bored Panda. “Because interacting with others drains an introvert's energy, they need to follow their socializing with solitude—a much greater need for them than for extroverts, who are energized through interacting with others. If introverts are less social than their counterparts, it's because of the associated costs of such interactions.”
Contrary to popular belief, introverted people are not opposed to socializing. They simply need time to recharge their ‘social battery’, unlike extroverts, who get energized by social interaction.
“It's not that they don't like people or need to have relationships. It's that they don't depend so much on these relationships to accept themselves or experience fulfillment,” Dr. Seltzer told Bored Panda. “If, in general, they prefer solitary activities, it's because these solo pursuits are ‘quieter’, and more meaningful to them than engaging with others.
Similarly, while they can enjoy talking to others, they're less engaged with them unless the subject of conversation dovetails with their interests. Extroverts can enjoy small talk, for it's compelling enough for them just to be conversing with others. But introverts dislike small talk for it doesn't seem to be worth the substantial effort to participate in it.”
Leon Seltzer expanded on the topic of popular misconceptions about introverted people: “It's typically assumed that introverts lack social skills, presumably because they're likely to pause more in talking to another (to collect their thoughts) and also to avoid conversing about topics that have little appeal for them. But in fact introverts' skills in appropriately discussing various matters with others are typically as good as—or better than—extroverts because they think before they speak and take the time to size up the situation more carefully, and thoroughly, than do extroverts.
“Also generally not recognized is the fact that if the conversation relates to something they deeply care about, it may be hard to get them to stop talking because they so much want to express all that they've (internally) been thinking about. Garrulousness isn't usually associated with introversion but in just the right situation they can be as talkative as extroverts, though they're far more selective about just what they talk about,” he added.
Some say that the western cultures tend to favor extroverted people. Licensed therapist Blake Griffin Edwards pointed out that, according to studies from 2014, 87% of people in the West sought to become more extroverted. Award-winning author Beverly D. Flaxington suggested that people in the US also tend to praise extroversion more, some even stating that it’s the superior type, compared to introversion.
However, one is not technically better; they’re simply different. Beverly D. Flaxington emphasized that the differences between the two lie on the genetic level, and manifest through different reactions to external stimuli.
#12 Well, that escalated quickly
“It's crucial to realize that introversion is not a one-dimensional topic, as so many assume it is,” Dr. Seltzer pointed out. “According to the Myers-Briggs Type Inventory, introversion has five separate dimensions, and each dimension exists along a 1-10 continuum, suggesting relativity within relativity. And, by implication, it also suggests that the way most people perceive introverts can't help but oversimplify them.”
According to Seltzer, the first dimension emphasizes that as opposed to congeniality and actively introducing themselves to others, introverts consider social amenities unimportant, leaving them to others. “They are seen as quiet and shy, even anti-social (though they're better seen as asocial, for socializing is simply less meaningful to them) and dislike being interrupted by others and having to talk spontaneously to someone without knowing in advance that they're going to be contacted. Essentially, they live inside themselves, so it takes longer for them to come out of their cocoon.”
The second dimension refers to them being self-contained rather than expressive or demonstrative, open, and self-revealing. “Introverts tend to keep their feelings and interests to themselves and are often seen by others as difficult to get to know. They also deal with their emotions internally, prefer to solve their problems on their own without asking for help, and find it hard to discuss with others what's upsetting them, so they're less likely to reach out for support when they're distressed,” clinical psychologist Leon Seltzer pointed out.
The third dimension relates to introverts being intimate versus being gregarious: seeking popularity, having a broad circle of friends and acquaintances, and joining groups. “Introverts prefer relating to a few significant others rather than being part of a large group. They need to establish trust in people before sharing much about themselves (and not out of distrust as such but for emotional comfort). They also seek close, one-to-one, in-depth involvement with others and recognize people more as individuals (expecting to be recognized as such themselves).”