Mental Health

My Life As An Introverted Extrovert

by Olivia

We have all heard people calling themselves introverted or extrovert, but I haven’t ever heard about those who are both. What cool name shall we call ourselves? An Introextrovert? Please feel free to help me think of a name. I’m open to suggestions. I feel like I’m not alone in feeling like I am both. I have heard of other people who cant put themselves into either introverted or extrovert. There is this grey area between them both and I feel like thats where I sit.

I wanted to do this post, mainly so I could see if anyone else feels the same as me. Which I’m sure a bunch of you do. But also so that I could share some of the things I go through as an introextrovert. The brain is such a complex muscle, and it’s amazing the things it does to control our behaviour. And when it comes to being social, my brain seems to work a weird and wonderful way! So, let’s find out if you’re weird like me!

WHAT IS AN INTROVERT?

An introvert is often thought of as a quiet, reserved, and thoughtful individual. They don’t seek out special attention or social engagements, as these events can leave introverts feeling exhausted and drained.

– heathline.com

Introverts tend to want to remain in the background. Introverts don’t wish to be noticed or have any special attention. They’re much happier being alone than with large groups of people. They are happy to be at home, alone with their favourite snacks and a movie at the weekend. They are the complete opposite of Extroverts.

WHAT IS AN EXTROVERT?

Extroverts are often described as the life of the party. Their outgoing, vibrant nature draws people to them, and they have a hard time turning away the attention. They thrive off the interaction.

healthline.com

As you can see, an extrovert is everything an introvert isn’t. They are lively and want to be around people all of the time. They thrive from attention and are really the life of parties. So, now you know the difference between Introverted and extrovert, what are you?

I am very much an inbetweener, and in todays post I thought I’d share some reasons why I consider myself an introverted extrovert!

I ENJOY BEING WITH PEOPLE, BUT NOT FOR LONG

Have you ever heard the saying that someones social meter can run out quickly? That is me. I can be in a social setting (remember those?!) and I’ll be having such a fun time. Then all of a sudden, a thought pops into my mind and I want to leave. I cant even describe what it feels like. But all of a sudden I’m no longer having fun and I want to go home. I’m sure its linked to my anxiety somehow.

I know others experience this too, and know that it’s such a weird/unpleasant feeling.

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I LIKE TO BE ALONE BUT WITH OTHERS

Often I find myself in a house full of people, but still alone in my own world. And I really enjoy living like that. Just having the option to go and speak to someone if I wanted to, but also having my own space. Being alone is really comfortable for me. I am 100% one of those people who would go and eat in a restaurant by themselves and be okay with it. I think it’s so important to be comfortable on your own, whether thats physically or emotionally.

Knowing I have the option to go and sit with someone or have a chat with someone is nice. Even if I never do it, its nice to know the option is there. I think alot of people who are in-between introverted and extrovert feel the same. Because alot of the time it just depends on our mood at the time as to whether we want to socialise.

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Do you consider yourself an introverted extrovert? Do you like being alone, or with others?

I can’t wait to hear if any of my readers are the same as me. I am pretty sure there is a whole population of us waiting to be discovered!

Olivia x
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129 thoughts on “My Life As An Introverted Extrovert”

  1. I hear you, another here *waves. I don’t like it when people try to put others into a box with a label on it. I too, am both. Sometimes I want to sit and read in peace and sometimes I’ll be the loudest daftest at the pub or with friends. It depends who I am with. I do know of some extroverts that seem to drain my energy by constantly wanting attention, this is when I become introverted in their company and lose interest. I have a social meter too, its nice to think of it in that way.

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  3. I love this and I am definitely the exact same! Some days I feel up for being really sociable and other days I’m completely happy in my own company. Youre deffo not the only one, that is the problem with binary definitions☺️

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  4. “Being introvert and extrovert make you from awessome-to-supreme
    meaning what you create behind the scene
    you present and represent it from your page
    on the stage
    jewels conceived in your dream
    you empowered into reality
    from debut to encore
    you own it and it 100%”
    _-Van Prince

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      1. I always work(ed) to a plan. I used a run sheet for those matters in my control e.g. events and speeches. I knew exactly the amount of time I had available and “schmoozed,” accordingly. For other matters outside of my control, I would depart at a predesignated time, or promise myself a reward afterwards for making it as far as I did or had my PA interrupt and “remove” me from a situation.

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  8. This makes me think of the ‘dying phone battery-metaphor! You’re feeling fine interacting with people for a certain amount of time. But then all of a sudden you get the ‘20% battery left’ warning and certain parts of the system stop working. I feel the same sometimes!

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  9. I am an extrovert from childhood and I use to love social life. I use to have lot of friends in school, colleges and we use to have lot of fun. I miss those days like being a student is an important part in anyone’s life and its beautiful phase in my life. Right now things have changed I am having another beautiful phase in my life which is my family and my husband is my best friend. But if I am with people I like to spend time with my near and dear ones and I never feel lonely. So I guess I am perfectly extrovert but I make sure I am having my ME time. Thanks Olivia for bringing wonderful posts. Happy Weekend 🙂

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  10. Being a mixture of the two seems healthy. If you think about it, introvert and extrovert are like two extremes… polar opposites. Somewhere in the middle makes sense to me!

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  12. I very much related to this. I too am in between… my god I feel like my whole being is in between everything x

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  14. YES! That’s me. I’ve done the Myers-Briggs type indicator several times over the years. Sometimes it tells me I’m an introvert, others an extrovert. I love being around people but sometimes it drains me. I also enjoy spending time alone doing my own thing.

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  15. You sound more an introvert than an extrovert, especially if you can find social situations draining. I have in the recent past joined a local community theatre group partly to help me become more out-going and have actually ‘performed’ in a play, and have drawn on a part of me to get through it. I enjoyed it, but then as soon as it was done found it difficult being myself again with the same people I’d been performing with. Odd.

    Have you read the book by Susan Cain called Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. If not I’d very much recommend it. I found it fascinating..in fact I think I’ve just persuaded myself to reading it again!

    Paul

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    1. I would say I am in-between still. It really depends on my mood and whether I want to socialise or not. Sometimes I really want to, and enjoy it. Then some days I don’t want to, and would rather be alone. 🙂

      I haven’t read that! Thanks for sharing. I’ll have a look into it!

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  18. An Introvert draws energy from time spent alone in research, work behind the scenes and perfer written than verbal; as opposed to an Extrovert who indeed-need the presents of other people and rather talk than think!

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  19. I am definitely an introverted extrovert. I love spending time by myself but I also need to spend time around others or I get really down.

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  20. 💜 Omnivert, Bivert, Equivert, Multivert, Demivert, Flipvert et al; for I AM pretty certain there’s many more ideas and Suggestions EveryOne as I, for one, have reservations about “Ambivert” because it suggests Ambivalence and Doubt while a person who is “both” has Certainty about the situations where they are in an “introverted” and/or an “extroverted” state of mind

    …💛💚💙…

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  21. I love love love love love this post. Based on the personality test, I’m only 64% extrovert, and I found myself relating to this post so much. I love being with other people, and leading them and socializing and stuff, but at the same time I value my alone time. It’s good to know that I’m not the only one who feels this way. ❤

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  22. To be honest as I’ve gotten older i feel this is me. Wouldn’t describe myself as life of the party but i can be selectively social. Sometimes i want to be alone, sometimes I’m happy to be around others. Much like yourself it gets to a point when my social meter runs low and i want nothing more than to just escape lool. It’s an awkward one but I think it’s just my personality and is somewhat linked to my moods and emotions

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  25. I never thought of it like this. Your second point about being in a group setting but preferring to be alone is so ME! I always presumed I am a introvert but I think I might be just in between.

    A great read as always Olivia😘 xx

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  27. I used to say that i’m so introvert because when i’m stressful i prefer spending myself time alone with movies, music, and having a deep thought that i can’t always explain to others in words, but at the different time, i like to having a deep conversation with people and give all of my energy spending time with them. And sometimes i like to be public attention. Haha i know it’s weird, but from all of that, i think everyone has their own extrovert and introvert side.
    It’s really nice reading your thoughts about this little impotant things, this is for the first time i have someone who has the same thoughts 🙂

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  30. I too, am introvetedly extroverted. Im like the belly button that sticks out, but is still in lol……I know i confuse people who just meet me:
    They’ll think I’m quiet and then I may have a ‘terrets- like’ explosion of excitement, if someone mentions something that im SUPER in to. Then, they’ll think I’m really not quiet, & try to engage in other convo, but ill return back to my turtle shell.
    Ugh. The ‘I. E’ struggle! Lol I COMPLETELY understand

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  31. I’m an ambivert too. People drain me quite a bit but I get lonely if no one is around. I also have fun with friends and such but I am always keen to leave after a few hours 😅

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  32. I can be in crowds as long as I have a purpose or someone I know to stick with. However, I very much like being by myself. I am only truly extroverted with people I am comfortable with.

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  33. I relate to this! I consider myself an introvert and I think a lot of people misunderstand that means. I absolutely love connecting with people. Generally, I do prefer smaller groups and it is draining after some time. I hate when people assume that just because I am a little quieter that I don’t want to socialize. It is a myth that introverts what to be alone all the time. Everyone needs relationships and connection, some of us just need a little more time to recharge. Love the blog!

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    1. You’re so right. I think we spend so much time trying to put people in boxes and make them seem one way. When in reality it depends on alot of other factors as to why we behave in certain ways!

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  35. I’m an introvert when I’m doing my favorite hobbies (reading, sitting outside, photography, creating art), and a total extrovert around my family and friends! 😂 I’ll feel totally in my element when I’m enjoying being alone, creating and exploring the world – then I’m very happy to be super talkative with my family and vibing with everyone’s energy.
    It was fun to learn more about you! This was a great post!

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  36. I use the same term for myself. I’m easily a social person who can start a conversation with anyone, yet who also doesn’t love crowds and can be the quietest person at a party.

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  38. I guess I am a mix of both. I have to be forced to go and mingle with others but then I become the one who is in charge of the situation. I prefer to stay on the sidelines but I come into the picture when I am needed to do so.

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  40. I’m definitely both. I love to spend time alone, reflecting with my thoughts, but then I crave getting out and interacting with others. But I hate when extroverts want to ‘fix’ us introverts. First I’m too quiet for them, then I’m inauthentic when I try to be more outgoing. Insert eye roll here: I can never make true extroverts happy

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  41. I am also both. I’ve gotten more introverted as I’ve grown older, but I do like getting together with friends and enjoying an evening, but they are few and far between!

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  42. I am introvert too, but sometimes i talk with stranger in public, it is kind pleasure. But most of the time i am alone. The worse part is i don’t socialize in my own village. They ignore me because i don’t mingle with them.

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      1. Yeah, i am the Red in Angry Bird movie, being alone and ignored in the community. I do thing alone is fun, but sometimes catch up with friends is pleasurable too.

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  47. I wouldn’t think of a defining word for the two mixed in 1 parson- but I have seen through me that my introvert/extrovert part depends on the parson(s) I am with.

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  49. I’m an intro extrovert too. There are days I need to go out and I talk, chat, laugh with anybody… I set up a happy hour so I can just meet people. Then there’s a time when I go outside, curl up on my swing and just reflect on nothing! I don’t want to be around anything but nature… I have this routine of quiet time in the early mornings, then later i can be adventurous!

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  50. I’m also both an introvert and extrovert; I never get enough of staying at home but I’d rather be with my family at home than alone and sometimes I love going out with my friends and having but I don’t want to do that often I sort of need to recharge..

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