DAY 240 - ARE YOU AN EXTROVERT OR AN INTROVERT?

Day 240

The terms "extrovert" and "introvert" are often used to describe individuals' interpersonal relations, but what do these words mean?

The terms originated from psychologist Carl Jung.  According to Jung, the extrovert is directed toward the outside world while the introvert is directed toward the self.   He characterized extroverts as being energized by being around other people and drained by being alone, and introverts as drawing their energy from solitary experiences and being depleted of it in social contexts.

Some people are total extraverts, others complete introverts, but most of us are a combination of both, with a predominance.

Many studies, in the field of positive psychology, suggest that extroverts are more likely to be happy.  Some even go as far as advising introverts to emulate their extrovert friends in order to achieve greater happiness.  I think that is RIDICULOUS.  One of the most important things in any quest for happiness is to accept who YOU ARE, not to try to become something you're not!

The reason why we tend to believe extroverts are happier, once again, has to do with our Western conception of happiness.  We associate happiness to excitement, liveliness, etc...  and obviously, if you are an extrovert, you are more likely to be that way.

On the other hand, the Eastern philosophy puts a lot more emphasis on being centred, in contact with your inner self.  And since introverts need to spend time alone to recharge their batteries, they tend to find pleasure in going inward.

An extrovert will never understand how someone could prefer being alone than going out with friends, and for the introvert, it's the other way around.

I consider myself more of an extravert than an introvert, but I do feel like I also enjoy being by myself.  I love reading, writing and meditating.   And, although it is not from solitary experiences that I draw my energy, I still need quiet time spent alone.

In the end, the happiest people are probably the ones who manage to achieve balance in their lives.  Those who always need to be in company and keep busy and hate being alone as well as those who lack social interaction and connections cannot possibly be truly happy.  To really maximize your wellbeing, you need to learn to be content in both contexts.