Friday, October 19, 2012

The Intuitive Introvert



As an intuitive introverted individual (according to my Miggs-Bryer test), I feel and experience life intensely. The curse and the gift of this personality trait is that I am extremely in tune with the energy and emotions of those around me. It is also true that the introvert in me can feel extremely overwhelmed by stimuli that most of the population think is normal.


It is with that in mind, that I recognize when my body needs to withdraw and not to interact with others. This sometimes poses a challenge, because I still live in society and society does not see isolation as a positive behavior, but as a sign that something is wrong.


It can be very difficult to explain to those around me that my need to withdraw is not associated with negative traits, but a vital need to re-establish a level of energy that was depleted by external stimuli. My need to withdraw and not to engage with others is almost as vital to my wellbeing as the air I breath. In reality, it is so important that it physically affects my breathing patterns.  


I was never the type of person who had many friends, because I always felt overwhelmed by engaging with more than a handful people at a time. My world, my inspiration, my life force come from a place inside me, as opposed to the world that surrounds me. Traits such as these are not synonym to egotism or selfishness as so many think.




My need to be alone allows my brain to operate properly. Otherwise, my brain literally gets scattered with the cacophony of voices, information, sounds, visual stimulation, and energy to which I happen to be exposed to. I have learned to respect and love my intuitive-introverted self. Do not ever let anyone make you feel as though there is something wrong with you.
After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music. ~ Aldous Huxley

35 comments:

Victoria said...

Beautifully written..well said...actually perfectly said!!...a mirror of my own world and life! Kindred spirit..I know all of what you say and mean! I have learned to not care what others think..and totally embrace my cocoon when it calls me.. and connect with my inner nature when i need..and jump in deep for as long as I need and return to the world when i am nourished! Gorgeous art to go along side your beautiful- thoughtful and insightful words!a very heartfelt post..and deeply meaningful to me
(and anyone who is the same!)..thanks for sharing this!
Blessings
Victoria

Kyra Wilson said...

I totally understand all of this. A quick test online puts me as INFJ (so I'm an intuitive introvert too!) I find it hard that so many people judge for my not being a social butterfly, loving flitting about in a pack of people (instead, it makes me want to crawl out of my skin.) I live in the country, isolated, and I LOVE it. I think there is something about that, that allows my own connection with my art to flourish. I say embrace it! :)

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Ana you are wise, being alone with ourselves will continue to be an important way to explore without distraction and see who we really are.B

Å olanje na domu-Waldorf said...

I always enjoy your posts. Love your reds. :)

Sulky Kitten said...

I know some people who simply cannot bear being alone for any length of time. They are very draining to be around. I also find it necessary to spend time alone. Not thinking any profound thoughts, just alone pottering around. I find it very relaxing and rejuvenating.

Anonymous said...

There's an app for that. ;) xo

CraveCute said...

Ana -- Very well spoken! I identify with everything you have said. Have a wonderfully introverted weekend! :)

Plowing Through Life (Martha) said...

No need to explain all this to someone like me. I totally understand because I am exactly like you, Ana. There are times when I absolutely need time alone. With more and more information emerging about the positive things about being an introvert, society will eventually come to really understand us. We're getting there.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Every introvert understands exactly what you mean! I know I do!

Kathryn Zbrzezny said...

Yes. I am also an intuitive introvert. It was definitely a wonderful relief to learn why I feel the way I do, and know that nothing is "wrong" with me. It is just me. I get my energy and peace from my quiet space...and when I need it, I need it!!

Cloudia said...

thanks for defending us so well




Weekend Aloha from Honolulu!
Comfort Spiral

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alteredstatesstudio said...

yes- a little personal time alone is definitely a need here as well. i may not be as intuitive, although, i recognized that fact within myself....that is why i like my studio so well- it is not very big- just big enough for me and a few of my favorite things.

and...i love, love your new header butterfly! the colors are absolutely beautiful!!

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Nadia said...

I feel the same Ana! So nice to read that there are others who feel similar to me!

An'Angelia Thompson said...

Hmmmm...I'd not heard of the Miggs-Bryer testing before. It put a smile on my face to know that someone else understands sensory overload and the need to be ALONE for recovery :o)

Sherri B. said...

You have described me to a "T", Ana...your words resonate straight to my core. Just knowing there are other people out there like me is a true comfort...thanks for describing it so perfectly, and for your beautiful art work. Both are a gift...have a wonderful weekend!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

It's nice to be able to talk about how we feel and have our blog buddies comment with their experiences. I have to have some time alone...often! Sweet hugs!

Anonymous said...

I babysit my 2-1/2 year old grandson 4 days a week and, of course, I speak to my husband in the morning and evening. It's enough for me.

Irene said...

i can TOTALLY relate, Ana. THANK YOU for writing this! ❤ :-)

The Dancing Crone said...

I've become more extraverted as I've gotten older. Part of it is that I just don't care much anymore what other people think :) I still don't speak much in groups but I know I've changed a lot. Love your new paintings by the way!

Almost Precious said...

I've never enjoyed going to large parties or being in a crowd of people. It's easier for me to converse and relate to a small group of individuals and when I'm in a large crowd I tend to draw even further into my shell as I feel uncomfortable and awkward. For this many people have branded me "aloof" and probably there were never friendships made because of this.
I feel sorry about it but that is just how I was born, and guess that is how I will always be (said with a noncommittal shrug).

Love the fungi paintings, makes me want to take a quiet walk in the woods and look for colorful toadstools. :)

Ileana said...

I certainly don't see myself as an introvert but I can understand and personally relate to your need to get away and refuel. This post is so well expressed that I believe I will start to see people who isolate themselves from the world a little differently. I have two friends like this and I always wonder, is it me? Although I know it can't be just me because they're not selective; they seem to tune everyone out for a while and then reach out again...so I just accept and move on. Thank you for shedding some light on this and helping me understand the personality type a little bit more.

geetlee said...

This is beautiful! Thank you, I needed this.

Jenny said...

Wow Ana... reading your post was like reading the thoughts of mine today... I love the words you have used... they say exactly what I am feeling at the moment... a need to withdraw... to re energize... to find that peacefulness... thank you for your beautiful words... and your reassurance... I needed to hear that today...

Jenny ♥

Red Shoes said...

"...I recognize when my body needs to withdraw and not to interact with others."

I am that exact same way!! Some take it as my being 'stand-offish' no matter how many times I tell them that I just need some "me" time.

It's just the way we are.

When I sense that need to 'wall off,' I refer to it as 'making my world smaller'... it works for me.

~shoes~

S said...

I can truly identify with everything that you have said here. I also feel the need to be alone very strongly and I often withdraw myself from this noisy society. I consciously avoid making too many friends because of this and other reasons. And I feel that I have been leading an authentic life because of that. My life has become better since I have embraced my unique choices.
Love your vibrant art,
and wishing you a lovely day !

Ariel said...

For me solitude is a much needed commodity. Occassionaly I crave for it Love your paintings. are they hand carved stamps/
Susan

Tammie Lee said...

I am starting to think that many bloggers are introverts.

I could have written these words about myself as well.

Your art is so charming, i am enjoying seeing it.

Martha Lever said...

Thank you for this honest post and your feeling about being alone. I too understand the need to "recharge" alone. I love being alone and I am never lonely because I have my art---and of course I have a wonderful husband who is just the opposite of me!

Lisa Graham said...

Such a well written explanation of the introvert and their need to recharge. It would be good for all extroverts to understand the quieter people but they are so busy being busy and extroverted they don't have time to reflect on such a thing. :)

You are going to laugh, but I did not realize I was more introverted than extroverted until I bought my very introverted husband a book called The Introvert Advantage... a wonderful book that points out all the positives to being introverted (as you often do on your blog) and how to live in a world that thinks being extroverted the way to be.

I now believe we are what we are and we all balance each other out I think. Now I am off to spend some quiet time in a book. :)

Elena said...

Love this post as usual and relate 100%. It's taken a while for my hubs family to understand that I can't be at every party they throw. Now they just chalk it up to my being antisocial and I don't bother correcting anyone anymore ;)

Jeanie said...

Well stated! I certainly agree with your observations on needing to be alone. In my case, I am exposed to a lot of external stimulation through my work and lots of friends and interests. Sometimes it just gets a bit much and I long to express the bit of hermit that is in me, ready and willing to set in with the cat and chill out. And sometimes people just don't get it. Your paintings to describe this post are just great. They remind me of charming illustrations that take you to a different world!

Shaharoh said...

It is hard to maintain that which allows one to be sociable. That quiet time - the silent phone, the silent voice, the moment where you feel yourself regenerating--I will never trade that for anything as long as I live. And I will never stop making people aware that it is necessary if I'm going to be a part of their life. A lovely post! xoxo Beautiful!

Zena said...

I understand you so very well... I also need tons of silence and a calm space in order to re-establish my level of energy. And it´s not only because of external stimuli, it depends also on the other people energy. I have learnt also to protect myself but not only withdrawing, but also staying less "accessible"... Otherwise, their thought, opinions and emotions can impact on me not always positively.

PS: Thanks for your kind comment on my blog. Of course, I will continue with it and even when I am looking for a new approach, I will update it on regular basis

Kristin_Texas said...

Goodness, I think you're my long lost twin. :p My family doesn't understand my need to be alone and not around lots of people 24/7. Even a neighbor of mine cracks jokes about it. Thank goodness my mother understands me at least. :p

If you say you're an INFJ as well, I'm not surprised. :p

Kristin