118 Introvert Quotes (the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly)

Looking for the best introvert quotes to send your friends or just make you feel less alone in a world full of extroverts? The following introversion quotes can help you embrace the part of you that loves peace and quiet.

Sections

  1. Best
  2. Misunderstood as an introvert
  3. Deep, but short
  4. Solitude
  5. Funny
  6. Friendship
  7. Love
  8. Common Questions

Best quotes for introverts

Many great leaders and thinkers in history have been introverts. These quotes about being introverted can help you realize that introversion is a strength, not a weakness.

1. “The day I began to live is the day I discovered being an introvert was awesome.” —Maxime Lagace
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2. “Be a loner. That gives you time to wonder, to search for the truth. Have holy curiosity. Make your life worth living.” —Albert Einstein
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3. “I’m an introvert. I love being by myself, love being outdoors, love taking a long walk with my dog and looking at the trees, flowers and sky.” —Audrey Hepburn

4. “Alone had always felt like an actual place to me, as if it weren’t a state of being, but rather a room where I could retreat to be who I really was.” —Cheryl Strayed
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5. “Stay true to your own nature. If you like to do things in a slow and steady way, don’t let others make you feel as if you have to race. If you enjoy depth, don’t force yourself to seek breadth.” —Susan Cain
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6. “For introverts, to be alone with our thoughts is as restorative as sleeping, as nourishing as eating.” —Jonathan Rauch, Caring for Your Introvert

7. “Alone had always felt like an actual place to me, as if it weren’t a state of being, but rather a room where I could retreat to who I really was.” —Cheryl Strayed
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8. “What we term a breakdown is often simply an introverted mind crying out for greater peace, rest, self-compassion and harmony.” —The School of Life
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9. “I need space from a world that is filled with millions of mouths that talk too much but never have anything to say.” —Kaitlin Foster

10. “Introverts avoid small talk because we know it’s the white bread of conversation. There are no real nutrients in it, just empty calories.” —Michaela Chung
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11. “Wise men speak because they have something to say. Fools because they have to say something.” —Plato
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12. “Introversion is not an insult; it’s just a different way of living to other people.” —Kendra Kubala, What an Introvert Is, and Isn’t

13. “Our culture is biased against quiet and reserved people, but introverts are responsible for some of humanity’s greatest achievements.” —Susan Cain
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14. “[Introverts] prefer the quiet of calm to the high of happiness.” —PsychologyToday, Introversion
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15. “Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul.” —Marcus Arelius

16. “I love to be alone. I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.”
Henry David Thoreau
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17. “Don’t think of introversion as something that needs to be cured… spend your free time the way you like, not the way you think you’re supposed to.” —Susan Cain
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18. “Far from being the center of attention, you’d rather hover on the fringes where you escape notice.” —Kendra Kubala, What an Introvert Is, and Isn’t

19. “Self-awareness and self-understanding are important to introverts, so they often devote a great deal of time to learning more about themselves.” —Kendra Cherry, 8 Signs You’re an Introvert
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20. “Blessed are those who do not fear solitude, who are not afraid of their own company, who are not always desperately looking for something to do, something to amuse them with, and something to judge.” —Paulo Coelho
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21. “I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion.” —Henry David Thoreau

22. “The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulate the creative mind.” —Albert Einstein
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23. “What a lovely surprise to finally discover how unlonely being alone can be.” —Ellen Burstyn
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24. “Introverts feel at their most alive and their most switched-on and their most capable when they’re in quieter, more low-key environments.” —Susan Cain, The Power of Introverts, TedX

25. “ I was always going off to crowded bars when I really would have preferred to just have a nice dinner with friends.” —Susan Cain, The Power of Introverts, TedX
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26. “Don’t underestimate me because I’m quiet. I know more than I say, think more than I speak and observe more than you know.” —Michaela Chung
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27. “I think a lot, but I don’t say much.” —Anne Frank

28. “Let’s clear one thing up: Introverts do not hate small talk because we dislike people. We hate small talk because we hate the barrier it creates between people.” —Laurie Helgoe, Introvert Power: Why Your Inner Life Is Your Hidden Strength
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29. “In many cases, being an introvert can actually be an asset.” —Carly Breit, The Surprising Benefits of Being an Introvert
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30. “Introverts take a longer time to process information than extroverts… because they process more thoughtfully than extroverts do — they take extra time to understand ideas before moving on to new ones.” —Carly Breit, The Surprising Benefits of Being an Introvert

31. “Introverts can actually achieve even more if they hone their natural strengths.” —Carly Breit, The Surprising Benefits of Being an Introvert
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32. “Introverts are naturally adept when it comes to actively listening.” —Carly Breit, The Surprising Benefits of Being an Introvert
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33. “Extroverts gain energy from social interaction, while introverts expend energy in social situations.” —Kendra Cherry, 8 Signs You’re an Introvert

34. “Introverts notice all sorts of details, which makes them self-conscious about the mistakes they are making.” —Lindsay Dodgson, What Everyone Gets Wrong About Introverts
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35. “Introverts need to spend time alone to withdraw and recharge, known as their ‘introvert hangover.’” —Kendra Kubala, What an Introvert Is, and Isn’t
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36. “Introverts are people who are energized by time spent reflecting on their internal thoughts and feelings.” —Katie McCallum, Being an Introvert

37. “If you’re an introvert, rather than trying to change who you are, embrace it!” —Katie McCallum, Being an Introvert
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38. “We conclude that we are weird and possibly ill long before we can accept that we may just be very different.” —The School of Life
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39. “To be an introvert is to be constantly impacted by undercurrents and hidden electricity in situations that others will miss.” —The School of Life

40. “I’m an introvert living in an extrovert world.” —Meghan Telpner, Being an Introvert in an Extrovert World
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41. “Introverts are people who find other people tiring.” —Jonathan Rauch, Caring for Your Introvert

If you are not sure if you are an introverted person, you might like this article on how to distinguish between introversion and social anxiety

Misunderstood introvert quotes

Do you feel like you’re often misunderstood by people around you? If you’re introverted there is a good chance that people often mistake you for being judgemental or shy, when in reality you’re just quiet and introspective. These quotes will be relatable for you and all your fellow introverts.

1. “The funny thing about introverts is once they feel comfortable with you, they can be the funniest, most enjoyable people to be around. It’s like a secret they feel comfortable sharing with you. Except the secret is their personality.” —Unknown 
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2. “Being silent doesn’t make me shy. Ignoring phone calls doesn’t make me rude. Staying home doesn’t make me dull. Having few friends doesn’t make me unkind. I am an introvert, and I am at peace with myself.” —Unknown
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3. “Introverts do not fear or dislike others, and they are neither shy nor plagued by loneliness.” —PsychologyToday, Introversion

4. “Introverts don’t need to be cured. They need to be left alone.” —Unknown 
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5. “’Come out of your shell’ – that noxious expression which fails to appreciate that some animals naturally carry shelter everywhere they go and some humans are just the same.”
Susan Cain
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6. “Introverts have been mislabeled and misunderstood forever.” —WithLoveFromKat, Life as an Introvert

7. “I got the message that somehow my quiet and introverted style of being was not necessarily the right way to go, that I should be trying to pass as more of an extrovert.” —Susan Cain, The Power of Introverts, TedX
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8. “Many people who you think of as ‘social butterflies’ might actually be quite introverted.” —Kendra Cherry, 8 Signs You’re an Introvert
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9. “Are introverts arrogant? Hardly. I suppose this common misconception has to do with our being more intelligent, more reflective, more independent, more level-headed, more refined, and more sensitive than extroverts.” —Jonathan Rauch, Caring for Your Introvert

10. “In our extrovertist society, being outgoing is considered normal and therefore desirable, a mark of happiness, confidence, leadership.” —Jonathan Rauch, Caring for Your Introvert
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11. “Because introverts typically feel less comfortable speaking than they do listening, they choose their words wisely.” —Carly Breit, The Surprising Benefits of Being an Introvert
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12. “Although it may look like they’re just sitting quietly during a meeting, introverts are actually soaking in the information that’s being presented and thinking critically.” —Carly Breit, The Surprising Benefits of Being an Introvert

13. “One common misconception about introverts is that they don’t like people.” —Kendra Cherry, 8 Signs You’re an Introvert
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14. “Introverts often find that other people try to change them or even suggest that there is something wrong with them.” —Kendra Cherry, 8 Signs You’re an Introvert
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15. “Introverts run the risk of being seen as not liking others or labeled as aloof or arrogant.” —PsychologyToday, Introversion

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16. “[Introverts] typically just prefer to save their social energy for people who understand and support their needs.” —Kendra Kubala, What an Introvert Is, and Isn’t
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17. “The kids who prefer to go off by themselves or just to work alone, those kids are seen as outliers often or, worse, as problem cases.” —Susan Cain, The Power of Introverts, TedX

Deep, but short introvert quotes

One of the most common qualities of every introvert is how much time they spend thinking. They are often deep thinkers who enjoy speculating about the intricacies of life. If this is a superpower you have yet to harness, that’s okay. Hopefully, these quotes can help you to embrace this deep part of yourself.

1. “Solitude matters and for some people it is the air that they breathe.” —Susan Cain, The Power of Introverts, TedX
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2. “In order to be open to creativity, one must have the capacity for constructive use of solitude. One must overcome the fear of being alone.” —Rollo May
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3. “I don’t hate people. I just feel better when they are not around.” —Charles Bukowski

4. “We are – when called upon – canny observers of the human comedy, but minute by minute, we are also hellishly and exhaustingly self-conscious.” —The School of Life
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5. “Quiet people have the loudest minds.” —Stephen Hawking
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6. “I like saying the most with the least.” —Bob Newhart

7. “Introverts crave meaning so party chitchat feels like sandpaper to our psyche.” —Diane Cameron
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8. “I am rarely bored alone; I am often bored in groups and crowds.” —Laurie Helgoe, Introvert Power: Why Your Inner Life Is Your Hidden Strength
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9. “Introverted people are spending more time observing human nature than those who are busy interacting with others.” —Jessica Stillman, Introverts Actually Understand People Way Better Than Extroverts Do

10. “All that time you spend watching and wondering about others has probably left you with a better-than-average understanding of the human mind.” —Jessica Stillman, Introverts Actually Understand People Way Better Than Extroverts Do
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11. “Extroverts have little or no grasp of introversion. They assume that company, especially their own, is always welcome.” —Jonathan Rauch, Caring for Your Introvert

Introverts and solitude quotes

Do you spend a lot of time alone and sometimes feel like a loner? If so, that’s perfectly okay. A benefit of being more introverted is that you can spend time alone without getting bored. Figuring out new ways for you to stay entertained on your own will help give you peace of mind.

1. “I was never less alone than when by myself.” —Edward Gibbon
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2. “Some people tremble at the idea of being alone. I don’t understand. I love my solitude. My energy is never leeched; my feelings are never hurt. I treat myself well, I entertain myself, but it’s peaceful.” —Sylvester McNutt
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3. “Solitude is dangerous. It’s addictive. Once you see how peaceful it is, you don’t want to deal with people.” —Unknown 

4. “An introvert’s desire for solitude isn’t just a preference. It is crucial to our health and happiness.” —Michaela Chung
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5. “My imagination functions much better when I don’t have to speak to people.” —Patricia Highsmith
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6. “If you meet a loner, no matter what they tell you, it’s not because they enjoy solitude. It’s because they have tried to blend into the world before, and people continue to disappoint them.” —Jodi Picoult

7. “Be a loner. That gives you time to wonder, to search for the truth.” —Albert Einstein
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8. “There is a tremendous difference between alone and lonely. You could be lonely in a group of people. I like being alone. I like eating by myself. I go home at night and just watch a movie or hang out with my dog.” —Drew Barrymore
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9. “I have to be alone very often. I’d be quite happy if I spent from Saturday night until Monday morning alone in my apartment. That’s how I refuel.” —Audrey Hepburn

10. “People empty me. I have to get away to refill.” —C. Bukowski
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11. “Please kindly go away, I’m introverting.” —Beth Buelow, The Introvert Entrepreneur: Amplify Your Strengths and Create Success on Your Own Terms
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12. “Introverts gain energy from reflection and lose energy in social gatherings.” —PsychologyToday, Introversion

13. “We long for connection but relationships are a minefield, especially at the start. What do they really think of us? Are we allowed to express desire for them? Are they disgusted by us? No wonder we prefer to stay home with a book.” —The School of Life

Funny introvert quotes

Most of us are weird in one way or another. The sooner you learn to embrace your specific kind of weird, the better. These quotes might be a little sarcastic, but they are meant to inspire you to laugh at your introverted self without taking life too seriously.

1. “My favorite party trick is not going.” —Unknown 
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2. “There’s a difference between preferring books to parties and preferring sixteen cats to seeing the light of day.” —Lauren Morill
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3. “I only go out to get me a fresh appetite for being alone.” —Lord Byron

4. “We just want to potter around in our boring clothes, chat to the few people we feel comfortable with, take walks and lie in the bath a lot.” —The School of Life
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5. “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” —Abraham Lincoln
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6. “My superpower is disappearing into corners or disappearing completely.” —Unknown 

7. “Hell is other people at breakfast.” —Jonathan Rauch, Caring for Your Introvert
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8. “Sometimes, as we gasp for air amid the fog of their 98-percent-content-free talk, we wonder if extroverts even bother to listen to themselves.” —Jonathan Rauch, Caring for Your Introvert
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9. “You might be an introvert if you were ready to go home before you left the house.” —Criss Jami

10. “Introverts are word economists in a society suffering from verbal diarrhea.” —Michaela Chung
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11. “Silence is only frightening to people who are compulsively verbalizing.” —William S. Burroughs
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12. “An hour at a lively birthday party and it’s imperative to go straight home for a nap.” —The School of Life

13. “Don’t you know that four-fifths of all our troubles in this life would disappear if we would just sit down and keep still?” —Calvin Coolidge
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14. “If you don’t say anything, you won’t be called on to repeat it.” —Calvin Coolidge
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15. “I’m an introvert. You are a wonderful person and I like you. But now please shush.” —Jonathan Rauch, Caring for Your Introvert

If you tend to feel weird in social situations because of your introversion, you might find this article on how introverts can avoid being awkward in social situations.

Quotes about friendship as an introvert

Finding people that understand and love you for exactly who you are is a beautiful thing. Finding a fellow introvert or even an extrovert that understands and honors your need for peace doesn’t happen every day. But when it does, you will have the opportunity to create a friendship that can last a lifetime.

1. “An introversion party is three people sprawled on couches and pillows, reading and occasionally talking.” —Laurie Helgae
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2. “Introverts are reluctant to make new friends, and rarely risk themselves that way. But when they connect with someone, it’s intense, deep, and often lasts a lifetime.” —Unknown 
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3. “Introverts don’t make friends. They are adopted by people who later become their friends.” —Unknown 

4. “I no longer have the energy for meaningless friendships, forced interactions, or uncessary conversations.” —Unknown 
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5. “Introverts treasure the close relationships they have stretched so much to make.” —Adam S. McHugh
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6. “We tend to be the friend or colleague you can call on when you’re upset or you have good news to share” —Carly Breit, The Surprising Benefits of Being an Introvert

7. “I’m very picky with whom I give my energy to. I prefer to reserve my time, intensity and spirit exclusively to those who reflect sincerity.” —Dau Voire
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8. “Luna was glad Amy wasn’t one to pry. She knew that if she wanted to talk about it, she would. More people needed to be like her.” —Kayla Krantz, Dead by Morning
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9. “Many introverts have just a small circle of friends, but it’s not because they can’t make friends or dislike people.” —Kendra Kubala, What an Introvert Is, and Isn’t

10. “A good rule of thumb is that any environment that consistently leaves you feeling bad about who you are is the wrong environment.” —Laurie Helgoe, Introvert Power: Why Your Inner Life Is Your Hidden Strength
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11. “Introverts are pretty picky about who we bring into our lives.” —Carly Breit, The Surprising Benefits of Being an Introvert
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12. “Introverts prefer to stick to deep, long-lasting relationships marked by a great deal of closeness and intimacy.” —Kendra Cherry, 8 Signs You’re an Introvert

13. “Of the many strengths of introverts, one is that they tend to create profound and significant relationships with those closest to them.” —Kendra Cherry, 8 Signs You’re an Introvert
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14. “I love the balance that comes with befriending or working with an introvert.” —Katie McCallum, Being an Introvert

You might also like this guide on how to make friends as an introvert.

Introvert love quotes

Falling in love with an introvert can mean finding someone who loves that you need alone time. Probably because they need it too. Finding someone who honors your unique personality and helps you feel alone but not lonely can be a match made in heaven.

1. “I want to be alone… with someone else who wants to be alone.” —Dimitri Zaik
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2. “The highest form of love is to be the protector of another person’s solitude.” —Rainer Maria Rilke
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3. “When you’re an introvert like me and you’ve been lonely for a while, and then you find someone who understands you, you become really attached to them. It’s a real release.” —Lana Del Rey

4. “The same qualities that make introverts great listeners also make them great partners.” —Carly Breit, The Surprising Benefits of Being an Introvert
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5. “You want to share your energy with people you can trust not to overwhelm you.” —Kendra Kubala, What an Introvert Is, and Isn’t
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6. “It’s far better to be unhappy alone than unhappy with someone.” —Marilyn Monroe

7. “Introverts crave personal space to reflect and refuel, and they can sense when their partners need space, too.” —Carly Breit, The Surprising Benefits of Being an Introvert

Common questions:

Is being an introvert a weakness?

Any quality is bound to have its good sides as well as its bad sides. Introversion can make you more easily overstimulated in loud or intense environments and situations. But that trait may also serve to develop your personality and skills in unique ways.

Are introverts boring?

Introverts seldom crave intense stimulation and often value peace and quiet. Because of this, more often than not introverts will be labeled as boring by extroverts. But to other introverts, their laid-back way of being is just right.

Who is a famous introvert?

There are a lot of famous introverts. Some famous introverts include Albert Einstein, Michael Jordan, and Emma Watson. Introverts have been responsible for some of the most renowned artistic and intellectual feats known to humanity.

Viktor is a Counselor specialized in interpersonal communication and relationships. He manages SocialSelf’s scientific review board. Follow on Twitter or read more.

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