BLOG: Understanding introverts

The introvert is a bizarre creature. When encountered in the wild, it often inspires curiosity among the masses — much like the platypus. These fascinating inhabitants of quiet cafes and library corners inspire many questions. For example: Why is this young woman sitting alone in her dorm room writing a blog in her pajamas during D-Days when there are underage drinking citations to accrue? Do bloggers count as introverts? Is this series of questions really a lead-in for this week’s topic of discussion?  The answers to these questions are; because I appreciate all that my parents and liver have done for me, yes, and you betcha.

Granted, it might be hard to believe that someone who writes of her personal misadventures for all the Internet to read would fall under the category of introversion. It may be harder still to imagine that such a person does so on a weekly basis as a sort of hobby. However, if you were to offer me the chance to spend a night at a big party with approximately 12 attractive men who like Woody Allen movies, and also think I am gorgeous example of the female form, well, the decision would be difficult. As long as, I had the option to stay in my room alone all night with an everlasting ice cream supply and quiet time to write. I can guarantee that after some reflection, I would choose the room with the ice cream (no matter how hot the guys are).

Face-to-face social interaction to me is like Zumba class: it’s fun and theoretically healthy, but after a while, I always get a little self-conscious, tired and sweaty. Sometimes, I just like to be by myself with no one to force small talk, no one to notice when I have to pick a wedgie and no one with whom I feel obligated to share my pepperoni, mushroom and black olive pizza. Actually, since my roommate has been gone for the weekend, the only verbal communication I’ve had today was with the pizza delivery guy. It’s been glorious.

Of course, that’s not to say I don’t appreciate it when I’m invited to movie nights, or dinner with friends. This same quiet disposition made it a bit difficult to make friends last year (getting to know people is exhausting), so I’m thrilled to be included in social gatherings. I just need post-social-activity recovery time — much like many of you will have needed post D-Days hangover remedies and time to un-tag yourself from unfortunate party pictures before your mother logs onto Facebook to check on her little angel.

The wild introvert is a solitary and somewhat jumpy species, but they have been known to make great contributions to society and loyal companions to anyone patient enough to accept their limited amount of social energy. Some are so devoted to their alone time that they will avoid all human interaction in favor of watching Joss Whedon’s commentary on The Avengers DVD in their 59-degree dorm room (incidentally, does anyone know when the heat will turn on?). Yet despite their sometimes questionable decisions, introverts are just like the rest of you, and perhaps even a little more interesting that you might think. Like a platypus.

Seriously, have you seen one of those? Nature is crazy!