Gone are the days when people thought “introvert” was synonymous with “shy.” While some introverts might have a hard time getting up in front of a crowd or meeting new people, that can be said for introverts and extroverts alike. The main difference between the two is where you get your energy from. An extrovert gets energy from other people, working a crowd with ease and style. Introverts, on the other hand, recharge when they’re on their own in the comfort of their own homes. In the past, extroverts were seen as the ideal way to live your life, but guess what? Being an introvert rocks, period. There are some major benefits to being an introvert that extroverts will just never understand.
- You can be comfortable alone. Extroverts get itchy if they’ve spent more than a few hours alone in their empty apartment. They then claw their way into any social interaction they can find. Not introverts! Being alone is comfortable for them, which makes this perfect for downtime or even handling a global pandemic. Best of all, this comfort with being alone means introverts are pickier with who they end up with, making them the best partners.
- Your home is a haven you can always go back to. Introverts have some of the nicest and most comfortable homes. Because they spend so much time there and consider it their safe haven, they’ll have more of the creature comforts. We’re talking a plethora of cozy blankets, lots of snacks, and a killer sound system. Rather than coming home to a cold and unwelcome apartment like an extrovert might, introverts have it good.
- No one expects you to be the life of the party. There’s an expectation on extroverts to be the performer at every party and event. That pressure to perform can be a bit much even for those who like the limelight. Luckily, introverts don’t have to deal with that. Introverts are expected to hang back and watch. That means that they can settle in the periphery without any problems. And if they do want to get up and sing a karaoke song or do a keg stand, introverts are even more appreciated for going out of their comfort zone.
- You’re a great listener–and everyone knows it. Few things suck more than trying to tell a story only to have someone constantly interrupt you. (Yes, extroverts, you do that.) Luckily, everyone knows the introvert in the group who will lend a good ear for a serious vent session. That also means that introverts will be trusted with secrets way before anyone would consider telling the extrovert. The introverts have got your back.
- You think before you speak. A lot of extroverts have gotten into a lot of hot water because they wouldn’t shut up. Pissing off the wrong people is a quick way to get on everyone’s shit list. But good news for introverts! Because introverts think before they speak and are much more considerate with their words, they don’t have to worry about saying the wrong thing. This also makes them a lot more likable in general. Perhaps extroverts could take a lesson.
- You’re the calm light people are looking for. Sometimes being around the calm person is the one thing you need. Unfortunately, extroverts can’t really be relied on for that. After all, you don’t go to the extrovert when you’re just looking for a quiet night in or a small movie marathon with a few friends. Who do you go to for a calm light? The introverts, of course. Get the popcorn ready.
- You have higher quality friends. Most extroverts feel the need to surround themselves with as many people as possible. That way, they always have at least a few people willing to go out at any time. While extroverts might have an easier time making a wide variety of friends, introverts’ pickiness means higher quality. The friends that introverts make have been carefully selected and thus mean the world to them. While extroverts may not think introverts aren’t good at making friends, it’s just that they’re the best at making the good ones.
- You can be depended on. One of the main reasons why introverts’ friends are so quality is not just because introverts are picky–it’s also because they’re high quality themselves. Unlike some extroverts, introverts are usually dependable. If they make a promise, they keep it. The flightiness of extroverts is no problem for introverts, just as long as you make sure they’ll still have some time on their own to recharge.
