What Chuck Does

Introvert or Extrovert

It’s a running joke really, I tell people “I’m actually an introvert”, they laugh and I smile. Up until recently I really thought I was an introvert. And up until recently, I really believed that I was an introvert. Not that it makes much difference because it’s just a label, but the significance is with how you identify yourself and how you see yourself.

I had many reasons to believe that I was introverted. I have a persistently strong internal dialogue (monologue). I get really tired when I have to be around people for days at a time and then thoroughly enjoy my downtime afterwards. Sometimes it’s a tremendous effort to be social/friendly.

But I like people too much and most of the aforementioned reasons for being an introvert no longer apply except having a strong internal dialogue (monologue)… so I dunno. Am I an introvert? The following are the dictionary.com definitions of each.

extrovert - Psychology. a person characterized by extroversion; a person concerned primarily with the physical and social environment

introvert - Psychology. a person characterized by concern primarily with his or her own thoughts and feelings (opposed to extrovert ).

Personally I think I’m a “socialized extrovert”, that I have introverted tendencies but over time and because of social pressures, I’ve learned to be an extrovert. I’m starting to realize that the only thing that’s really worth anything over time is the value of the relationships you build with people throughout your life. Let’s see how this argument pans out.