The Power of Introverts

I found this TED talk the other day, called 'The Power of Introverts'.  I LOVE it.

 I'm an introvert, through and through.  I can relate so much to the things Susan Caine, the speaker, described about her childhood.  Many, many times throughout MY childhood (and even NOW sometimes) I got the message (from the way others treated me or looked at me) that the way I naturally was, was 'not the right way to go', as she puts it in the video.  I often get asked if I'm mad, or if I was offended by someone, when I'm perfectly happy.  It hurts.

My husband, an extrovert, says he doesn't think I'm THAT introverted and I take that as a compliment, since it's something I've always fought.  The thing is, I think he feels that way because he KNOWS me.  There's a misconception that we (introverts) are boring, anti-social, SHY, rude...that's the perception.  I don't think I'm ANY of those things.  I AM social.  I can be very talkative if you catch me on the right day.  I DO have friends.

But I'm still an introvert.  I hate talking on the phone.  I HATE being the center of attention.  I think Skype is the most awkward thing EVER and I worry that my husband's family must think I'm rude when I simply pop my head in and say hello, and then go off to the other room to read/blog/crochet. . . .  I have a hard time with parties.  Even family parties, where I know and love everyone.  Just too much going on.  I'm much more myself in one on one situations or small groups.  And I have a BIG family (so does my husband).  I sometimes feel like my friends get annoyed at me when I don't feel like talking.  I have many moments where I DO feel like visiting and being social, but I also need my alone time to feel happy.

Western societies hold extroverts on a pedestal and it can be really hard if you don't fit into the mold.  But did you know that 1/3 to 1/2 of the population are introverted!?  Who knew?  I LOVED this talk because it finally made me feel 'normal'.  For once, being introspective isn't seen as a negative thing.  I wish the whole world felt that way.  It would save 1/3 to 1/2 of the population, a lot of worry and feelings of insecurity.  Feeling like there was no one out there who understands them (because all of the other introverts out there are trying desperately to come off as extroverts).

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?  How do you view them both?