introverts and extroverts: what are you?

Why should we care about labels like introvert and extrovert?

If your answer is to help us understand ourselves, you are probably right.

The introvert/extrovert concept is just a label to help us understand how we get our energy. If you charge your mental/emotional batteries by spending time alone, you are probably an introvert. If you get all of your energy from being around people, you are probably an extrovert. Extroverts can love being alone and introverts can love to be social, but it’s all a matter of where you pick up your energy.

Okay, but why do we care, Annika?

These modes/qualities and the way we feel drawn to different ends of the spectrum at different times can teach us a lot about ourselves. We are always in a dance, navigating the waters of feeling insular and feeling social. This week’s podcast talks about the positive and negative side-effects of all of it and how best to manage it.

Hint: As with practically all advice I give, the best place to start is by witnessing and allowing. Feeling like you want to go out and be friends with everyone on the planet, but judging that pull because you label yourself as an introvert? Witness and allow. Go where you feel drawn. Honor it. Go.