For introverts, by introverts. Welcome. But no pressure!
Are You an "Ambivert"?
Yes, Outgoing Introverts Do Exist-Are You One?
So, you just found out you’re an introvert. Now you have a new way of understanding yourself and how you relate to the world. You can’t get enough of your new identity, so you’re reading every listicle and blog post about introverts that graces your Facebook news feed. Some articles describe you with frightening accuracy: You like spending time alone, you prefer calm environments, you often think deeply and reflect, and you’d rather text than call.
Yet, other articles don’t resonate with you at all: You don’t sit home alone every weekend watching Netflix in your pajamas and you actually enjoy the occasional party. You start to wonder, am I really an introvert?
Bottom line: If you need downtime after socializing, you probably are an introvert. What you actually are is an outgoing introvert.
Introversion and extroversion are not black and white. Think of a continuum with introversion on one end and extroversion on the other. Some people fall closer to the introverted end, while others are near the middle. There’s actually a word for these middle-of-the-road people: ambiverts. An ambivert is someone who displays characteristics of both introversion and extroversion.




I can relate to this. I think that as I've aged I've moved further towards the middle of the continuum.
I've found this to be the case too. I still don't do well with large crowds, but am able to flick on the "being with people" switch if necessary now.
I've done the opposite. I think when I was younger I tried and tried to be the extroverted person my mother wanted me to be. As I've grown up, I talk with my friends online and do things in small groups sometimes, but I still find people draining.
That's interesting. My parents never pushed me to be extroverted, but my in-laws... oy!
hmm yeah I think this is kinda me - how introverted I am depends on the company I'm with. New people wear me out cos I don't know how to interact with them, but people I've known for years/family etc and it takes a lot longer before I want to go home!
It does depend on the company! Good point! New people are exhausting.
Relating back to Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables--she's a very outgoing introvert. She's not shy, she'll talk to anyone, but she draws strength from inside. She has her close friends, and she's friendly, but she's still an introvert in the end.
Drawing strength from the inside -- that's it perfectly!
The idea of being "mistaken" for an extrovert happens to me a lot--mostly, I think, because I worked in customer service for many years, where I learned how to turn on a sociable version of myself when required.
I'd be curious to know how many "introverts" work in customer service. I did too; I think it taps into a caring side of people's nature. But boy did I need down time after being on the phone all day!
I think I am, my MBTI is INFJ I believe is known as "The Outgoing Introvert." I do enjoy a party, but yes not every weekend and I'm not about the drinking. I do prefer smaller gathers with people I know, and I know everyone to a place where I don't really know anyone.
Small gatherings of familiar people can be incredibly comforting. Some days. Sometimes even that is too much!