This is really interesting. I honestly have always believed that being introverted simply means that you are shy around new people. To some degree, I am introverted then, because I do get really nervous around new people. However, on a daily basis, I am completely different from you it seems: When I don’t talk with people for a longer period of time every day, I feel frustrated or down for some reason. It seems I totally cannot stand loneliness and need conversations - and if it’s just a little bit of small talk during a one hour lunch break.

I have always had friends or at least talkative co-workers around me, but when I enclose myself to study for exams the whole day or when I need to do some kind of work that leaves me alone for the whole day, I feel horrible ^^;;; I suppose this is a little bit weird…

I’m almost certain that amateur blogging (especially in the anime community) and introversion goes hand-and-hand. The act of staying home, downloading an episode, watching it by yourself, typing of your complete thoughts on it, and then publishing it without an editor’s approval is a very “do it yourself” approach to interacting with others.

It’s a very safe place for people to hide themselves under the guise of an anonymous avatar, and they are able to say whatever they want to a faceless readership.

Take note over how many bloggers criticize extroverted anime fans, i.e. the “Narutards.” The blogger feels socially awkward when they run into these people in public, and they later take out their frustrations and embarrassment over their inability to interact in public with these poor folks on their blogs.

I’m an introvert myself, but I’m well aware of it and I don’t hold it against anyone. You also appear to have a good grasp of yourself as well, so I think you’re doing just fine with it. (^_^) Yay for introverts!

(<__>)

[goes of to the corner alone to collect himself for a minute or two]

I’m probably an introvert. I do enjoy hanging out once in a while, but more than half of the time, I prefer just being alone without anything or anyone to bother me.

I used to be rather extroverted when I was younger, probably 10 years ago? However, as I grew up, I found that I’m increasingly prefer keeping more to myself in the real world.

You can probably see what I really think from what I write online. My blog started off as a place for me to rant off, and I still think it is.

@Sasa: I think it’s normal for people to be shy during first meetings. I am too, because of that whole darned first impression thing. However, to me, you sound like an extrovert - I could very happily eat my lunch in silence with a book, or go the whole day without talking to someone, but I could not go the whole day without being around someone.

@Scott: Thanks! Hooray for introverts. And I still have about 2h 57m before I need to rest.

I meantioned this earlier via email to itsubun but anonymity is a curse sometimes. I think many people use it for the exact reason you describe - to hide and say whatever they want. I used to do the same, back in the day when nicknames were the thing, but I find that here, with my real name, I’m much more careful about what I say. In a sense, I am actually truer to myself because I have to be myself.

I wish more people did this.

@double: Blogs can be wonderful. I find that the ones I admire have personality beyond the content. Quite often, I find that it corellates with real name usage as well.

Wow, that was really interesting. I think I’ve been struggling between extroversion and introversion most of my life and it’s not until recently that I’ve come to delight in being an introvert, due to insecurities and all that. Most of my life I felt inferior to extroverts, and my teachers (in high school especially) who clearly doesn’t understand introverts make it all seem like I’m an abnormal person who needs to socialize like the other bunch of the girls in my class. geez.

I’m just glad the workplace I’m in cares for introverts, and in effect, that made me more socially adjusted hehe :) I’ve sort of become a little extrovert because I like their company and I wouldn’t mind sharing all sorts of stuffs with them ^^

It looks like we’re in the same boat about liking being AROUND people, but the thought of having to interact with them can be awfully daunting if not a direct put off sometimes. Sometimes it feels like I could be more of an extrovert if I TRIED, but after a while it all suddenly feels so forced and the introvert kicks back in.
But that part of me who would rather walk around aimlessly by myself on a fine day than sit around pretending to enjoy socializing (unfortunately, a lot of times this is what I end up doing *sigh*) is still a part of me that I like. In the end though, having that much ‘me time’ does make one appreciate the human company when it comes, and vice versa.
Good luck with the high volume socializing, hope the crashing doesn’t happen again.

@usagijen: You’re lucky…I need to find a word place like that. :(

@issa-sa: Too late! Crashed again today. I feel like a PC.

Caitlin, that sounds really scary… Maybe you need more blood sugar, chocolate perhaps? :P

I think I’m half-introvert then … okay, so what do you call someone who likes to go out (dream of it, actually), but is too lazy to?

Reading the article above, guess I am intovert. Blogging is an anomaly of it, I reckon ^_^.

I’d say I’m more introvert than extrovert. I don’t mind having to go out or socialize but I find it quite annoying sometimes, especially when my friends don’t know when to shut it. That said, blogging is a good way to beautifully (yeah right) press my point without anyone blaring their horns in my ears.

Cheers. ^^

@blissmo: A wishful thinker?

@lanie-emon: I suspected that most would be introverts but you never know.

@Ez: There are probably also levels of being an extrovert or an introvert. Perhaps your friends are just more extroverted? Thanks for the insight. ^_^

[...] with people, flirt with boys or something, and I realize how he lacked understanding for the introvert in me back then. I just laugh at it now, and wonder what he’ll think once he sees the real me [...]