"I" is for Introvert
July 9, 2009 | Category: I'm a Blogger
I’ve always suspected that I’m in the class of quite introverts. I wouldn’t consider myself anti-social or uncomfortable in social settings – I just really love quite times way more than the social scene.
When it comes to situations of nightmare proportions, mine typically revolve around making speeches or talking in front of a large group of people (with my clothes on).
No joke, being the center of attention will give me a bad case of the hives and sweaty pits.
When I used to work in a more corporate-type setting, if I knew I would be making a presentation that day; I would wear a turtleneck that day – no matter what the temp outside was. I needed the protection to hide my hives.
A few weeks ago, I took the all-famous Myers-Briggs personality test. Yesterday I got my results back and analyzed. Basically what the test does is determines your personality type so you can better understand yourself.
I’m an “ISFP”, if that means anything to you at all. That stands for Introverted Feeling with Extroverted Sensing.
But here is where I take issue with my introvertedness. It’s true I get crazy uncomfortable sharing in large groups – but I’ll blog about it and write it all down for the world to read.
Online – I’m the farthest thing from being introverted.
Don’t you think blogging is an extroverted activity because you’re sharing so much of your life with strangers? And isn’t blogging kinda like enjoying hearing yourself talk? (which is totally an extroverted trait)
Or is it an introverted activity because you sit at your computer all by your lonesome plucking away at the keyboard? (by yourself)
Anyway, I would love to hear what you think. I’m confused and (silently) conflicted.
Extroverts – talk amongst yourself while us introverts listen…
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July 9th, 2009 @ 8:52 pm
I myself am an ISTJ…and the introverted part of the test is really more about how you recharge and regroup. If you recharge with people…especially LOTS of them, you are a true E. If you prefer alone time to recharge..you are an I. So isn't blogging very much an I activity? Just you and your thoughts and the computer. I find that most of the E's I know blog about fun happy things and a lot more of us I's blog about our inner thoughts. Maybe its our way of "safe extroversion". who knows. But I don't really get you NP's a whole lot. I'm an SJ gal myself. Give me the facts, the way I can see them and I'm good…
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July 10th, 2009 @ 1:33 am
This ESTJ says you're an I. I think blogging can be either E or I. Depends on your approach and what your intentions are. For some, I see them hide beyond the cyberspace. For others its a way to give more depth and reach to their voice/heart. -Mr. Blonde
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July 10th, 2009 @ 2:24 am
I'm an introvert who has become an extrovert because I'm married to a social butterfly. But I prefer writing to talking and I can't tell a story in person for sh**, so I like blogging. I feel like I'm an extroverted blogger, if that makes sense. At times it feels like a social activity, more so than watching TV or reading, obviously.
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July 10th, 2009 @ 3:36 am
ewww…i want to take this test! sorry i missed out on lunch this week. Hope you're feeling good!
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July 10th, 2009 @ 4:12 am
Us introverts could talk all day about hives. Glad to know I am not the only one that gets hives!!
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July 10th, 2009 @ 1:49 pm
I wouldn't know how to classify blogging. It could go either way. I think introverts are probably better writers though–because they do listen and process what they write instead of just "spill." I am an ESFJ but whenever i read the descriptions I get annoyed that some test is putting my personality in a box. Doesn't that bother you some? Can I ask, what was the reason you took the test–I have taken it twice (both with the same result, over 5 years apart). The first was in college to determine some sort of life path and the second was at my first job to see how I would mesh with my coworkers. Are you thinking of changing careers?
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July 10th, 2009 @ 3:56 pm
WOOHOO!
ENFJ here…. Let me "out" myself by confessing that on a recent weekend vacation to CANCUN, I took as my "alternate entertainment" not one but TWO books about the Myers-Briggs personality system (Gifts Differing by Isabel Myers-Briggs and the David Keirsey book Please Understand Me II), both of which I have read previously, and spent upwards of 4 hours rereading them. ON SAID VACATION IN CANCUN.
I am SO repressing urges to write a novel here. And by "write" I mean "plagiarize by cutting and pasting huge chunks out of their books".
Ultimately there are just a couple things I wanted to chime in on. First of all, I give two thumbs up to hdbl's note. Yes and yes. Another way of saying it – which of these scenarios seems MORE draining and likely to send you screaming for a "fix" of the other:
the thought of being around a half dozen of your best friends/loved ones all day, every day, for a week, or…
the thought of being alone in your favorite place, all day, every day for a week?
A whole week of either would surely do anyone in, but which one seems WORSE? (option 1 would be introvert's nightmare)
Additionally, in my most recent reading of the MB book (I'm sad to say it's at home, so I can't quote it, so bear with my verbal inadequacy here), I gleaned that her intention with the term introvert, beyond the "how you recharge" issue, was to indicate how your thoughts and actions are most frequently directed.
An introvert is more likely to be found pondering over things, processing them internally, figuring out how she can improve herself. Directed inward.
An extrovert is more likely to be focusing on sharing things so others can know them too, and whatever she takes in is often turned around and used for improving the world around her. Directed outward.
Finally, (this is for Jessica, too…) remember that just because the questionnaire analyzed and pointed out that you prefer one way of functioning, doesn't mean you are incapable of acting in the opposite way. This applies to all the preferences, not just E/I. For example, people who are tested as "F" (feeling) are not incapable of thinking and using logic, but they are more likely to "go with" their feelings than with straight logic… and they are likely to be more successful at making decisions in their preferred mode, because they've had so much practice.
Remember, Jessica, the test doesn't say "you gave these answers, so I'm going to say you ALWAYS think and act this way". Rather, it asks you how you prefer to think and act, and then clarifies and describes how those preferences affect the way you function, in terms of what you're good at and what you're more LIKELY to do. Getting feedback in the form of the "type description" can be really helpful in becoming aware of your strengths and weaknesses, and of habits of thought that you might not even be aware of.
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July 11th, 2009 @ 1:35 am
Hmmm, interesting point. I'm an intovert – although I don't mind social settings, they just sometimes wear me out. My quiet time is what keeps me sane.
Blogging works well for me. I do it in the comfort of my home. It's quiet and gives me a chance to reflect on my life/thoughts/activities.
I loved what hdbl said -
"I find that most of the E's I know blog about fun happy things and a lot more of us I's blog about our inner thoughts. Maybe its our way of 'safe extroversion'. who knows."
I thik that sums it up pretty well for me.
Love this post!
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July 11th, 2009 @ 3:38 pm
I believe an extrovert is someone who is energized by being around people and large groups and an introvert is someone who finds large groups and crowds to be draining rather than energizing.
I think introverts are okay with blogging and putting it all out there because they don't have to interact with all the people who read them in the physical sense or all at the same time. It's not that introverts hate people or anything. We just do better in smaller groups or one on one.
I know at BlogHer at LOT of folks periodically retreat from the huge crowds for some quiet time to re-energize themselves.
I took that same test a long time ago and if memeory serves, I'm an INFP. Or something ???
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July 11th, 2009 @ 4:16 pm
I was an ENFP when I took the test but two decades later I think I am an INFP.
I am never an introvert or an extrovert for extended periods of time, at any rate.
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July 11th, 2009 @ 5:15 pm
I am exactly like you…a total introvert in social situations (I blame my years as the geek of the school…)…but I blog and behave online (and with a small group of friends) like a total extrovert. I think online is a different facet of your personality. There's an anonymity there that lets your introvert be satisfied (even if people take issue the introvert has the defense that those people don't 'really' know you)…and lets you live as you have dreamed without the typical societal discomforts that being physically in front of judging eyes brings.
Wow. Deep stuff…
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July 11th, 2009 @ 10:35 pm
hmmmm…everyone I know seems to think I am an extrovert because I am loud, i like to be the center of attention, and I enjoy groups of people. but the secret truth is i ALWAYS score introvert on those tests because if given the choice, i do NOT want to be around people…i want to read, write, sleep or listen to music. i enjoy quiet evenings at home rather than partying it up…and I love, love, LOVE to blog (and tweet and fb). So while I like to put myself out there and let everyone know about me…i may not really want to talk to those people in person. i love twitter, fb, texting, and email. the phone and personal visits can make me uncomfortable, although I am getting better…I AM a teacher, after all
So my vote is that blogging is really an introvert's hobby!
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July 12th, 2009 @ 9:19 pm
You sweat regardless of the size of group. I know that because I do too.
I wouldn't say you're an introvert in a group. You're not awkward enough.
I'd say I'm just perfectly in love with exactly who you are.
So there.
xo
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July 13th, 2009 @ 4:31 pm
Hey, Momma,
ENTJ here! I/E is all about where you get your energy. While some activities seem to be inherently introverted or extroverted, they aren't necessarily as they appear.
I'd love to do (or see) a study of how different types blog! I suspect that I's blog just like they write memos or engage at parties — ponder and edit (at least mentally) what they want to say before they say it. E's probably just write and talk and post. (I have to force myself to pause and re-read everything before posting!) I also think that I's might feel drained after finishing their posts and need time to refresh themselves, while E's feel more energized and immediately go on a hunt to find more posts that they can comment on!
Remember too that no preference exists in a vacuum. In fact, I/E is the most flexible component of our personalities, which means we can all fake it fairly well!
Happy day,
Anne (who used to teach seminars on MBTI in the workplace)
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July 14th, 2009 @ 7:02 am
I'm an ENFP. I'd say it depends on how you blog… are you mostly writing, or reading others, or commenting… Although I'd say I'm mostly into the writing part and that's probably the least E part of the whole enterprise, so what do I know.
Have you heard of the Enneagram personality test? I'm completely intrigued – it's supposed to be very revealing.
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July 20th, 2009 @ 10:48 pm
I'm an ENFJ (Extraverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Judging) so I guess we're pretty much opposites {doesn't that mean we'd get along well?}.
On most personality tests, however, I score almost exactly 50/50 on the extravert/introvert scale. I think this is a pretty accurate assessment because I feel equally energized by public speaking/social settings and by reading a good book all by myself.
I think that blogging is more of an introverted activity since – as hdbl pointed out – it's "just you, your thoughts, and the computer."
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August 9th, 2009 @ 12:48 am
I asked my husband, who is certified to administer and interpret the MBTI and he says being an E or an I wouldn't have much affect on the desire to blog.
Someone already rightly pointed out that E & I are more about where your energy comes from. I am an ESTJ and my husband is an INTP. We both like blogging, though I make more time for it since it is one of my outlet's to the adult world as a SAHM.
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