Extroverted Introvert
I am an extroverted introvert. I'm the life of the party but the party better be short and have good ass people. People have always assumed I was an extrovert but I'm not and I hope this space leads others to be more honest about who they are and the types of "parties" they want to go to.
I feel like this picture is a great representation of what I'm like in social settings.
I'm bright and ready to have fun but definitely have my things on me just in case I need to bounce.
Whats the difference?
Introverts are people who prefers calm, minimally stimulating environments. Introverts tend to feel drained after socializing and regain their energy by spending time alone. This is largely because introverts’ brains respond to dopamine differently than extroverts’ brains. In other words, if you’re an introvert, you were likely born that way.
Extroverts are often described as talkative, sociable, action-oriented, enthusiastic, friendly, and out-going. On the negative side, they are sometimes described as attention-seeking, easily distracted, and unable to spend time alone. Extroverts are also more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors, including risky health behaviors.
This is just another binary that people are often shoved into.
Why does it matter?
Extroverted introverts may exhibit behaviors common to both extroverts and introverts. They can be reserved when the situation calls for it, and gregarious when an outgoing manner is more suitable.
Binary-thinking has been and will always be harmful.
Extroverts are more likely to be promoted.
Extroverts are seen to be “better leaders”.
Until we do away with this binary thinking and redefine what professionalism looks like will never get away from having the same types of people in power.
Racism
Being Black, Queer and a person with a uterus means always being expected to be some extroverted stereotype. It's exhausting.
Most of the “well renowned” personality tests that people use to place us in these binary categories are racist as fuck.
The origins of these tests are extremely telling of why it's so difficult for anyone who isn't a cisgendered White person to fit perfectly.
It's so important to remember that all people exist on a spectrum of personality traits and are allowed to be who they are on that spectrum.
Now what?
As I learn more about myself, I learn how many of these systems are just not catering to people like me. There is so little representation of the fluidity of humanity in the many bodies that we are in and it's devastating.
If you need places to get a different view of this specific binary, here are a few:
Please know that even if you don't know which one you are, you are still entitled to manage your energy the way you feel healthiest and safest. 💜