RE: Being Introverted is NOT a Personality Defect in Need of "Fixing!"
Excellent post my friend!
I am also introverted and have no problem at all with being so other than the one you have highlighted, others thinking I should be more like them. I am quite content to be the way I am and can take great pleasure in being alone for long periods of time! :)
As you rightly point out, at least for me, I am also more comfortable in very small groups or on a one to one basis and don't enjoy large groups or gatherings although I have on occassion 'faked it' and while I can be quite good at this it is not something I enjoy or feel comfortable with so choose not to any more.
I would actually say and suggest it may be the same for others that while I in general do not favor communication online as a regular thing it is a very favorable way of communicating for me as an introvert.
Thanks again for a great post and hope your day is going well!
Many moons ago, I would go stay at my elderly aunt's summer cabin in Denmark. When she was not there, I'd sometimes be in complete solitude for up to two weeks... not a phone call, not a trip anywhere, even to the shops... and it was perfectly serene and wonderful. But I also know many people for whom that would have been a particularly vile form of torture.
I can "do" groups OK, but I just get to damned exhausted. 2-3 hours, tops, and I am fully cooked. And that includes family gatherings where I already know everyone.
The Internet brings up and interesting point, vis-a-vis introverts. In many cases, Introverts are actually more "talkative" online than extraverts. Many extraverts I've talked to about this find it distressing to not have "visuals" and "body language" to gauge how things are going with the conversation.
That sounds like heaven to me at times. :) Absolute solitude for a wee while would be wonderful. I am fortunate that I am quite strong minded and am not affected by the opinions of others but I feel for those who are not as strong as you or I and who believe there is indeed something 'wrong' with them just because they are introverted. I hope your post has helped someone in this position see that this is not the case!
Thanks again my friend!
Hope you're having an excellent day!