I understand the use of labels and stereotypes.. it makes things simple. Why try to know people or assess people when you can easily assign them a label? And then each label has associate properties to them. For example, a guy who doesn’t quite talk. Let’s label him an introvert, and assume he’s shy, anti-social, has nothing to say, and hey, why not call him a loser.

Well, screw them. I hate labels.

Introverts are not anti-social.

Introverts are not anti-social. We do not dislike people. We dislike places that are crowded because it drains our energy. The same way it tends to excite the extroverts. I love people just as much as the next guy, but I don’t like being surrounded by them. I also prefer conversations within a small group of people (by that I mean, like a group of four including me), but really, one on one conversations are best, to me.

I love intellectual and stimulating conversations, and not so much trivia. I don’t know if that’s a property of an introvert, or if that’s just me, though. I tend not to speak unless I have something important to say. And usually that only happens when I am with my close friends.

Sometimes I try to fight off these assertions.. but sometimes I just ignore them. It is not important, and it’s a never ending battle.

Did I mention I hate labels?

I think I did, but I’m saying it again for good measure. I hate labels. Labeling people is a very shallow assessment and full of common misconceptions. People, including introverts, are more complex than some labels.

I have read books about introversion. In the book, “The Introvert Advantage” by Marti Laney, Psy. D (and I recommend this book for anyone who wants to know more about introverts), it suggests that Introverts are people who are over-sensitive to Dopamine. What does Dopamine do? Well.. to put it simply, Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps controlling a person’s (brain’s) pleasure and reward centers, as well as regulating the person’s movement and emotional responses.

Since introverts are over-sensitive to Dopamine.. too much external stimulation exhausts them. Overdoses them. On the other hand, Extroverts love Dopamine. And adrenaline helps to create it.

Introverts do not dislike people.

I’ve mentioned this earlier but I’ve only touched on it a little. Introverts do not dislike people.. In fact, Introverts value the few friends they have. Intensely. Most Introverts can count the number of close friends with one hand and without much hesitation. When an Introvert considers you a friend.. you are in for a life time friendship most of the time.

Side note. Anne, do you know how much I miss you at the time of this writing..? Do you know.. how difficult it is for me to “move on” because you are also my best friend..? I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. 

Ahem. Some people have the misconception that Introverts always want to be alone. That is simply not true. While it is true that Introverts are comfortable with their own thoughts, own daydream, own plan.. nothing is better if they could just share it with another person. It can get unbearably lonely when Introverts have no one to share their experience with.

I might write a Part 3 at some point.. but I’m not sure.