I don’t consider myself an extrovert. Anyone who knows me is laughing hysterically at this point. But seriously, I think we should switch up the terms or measure twice. Once in a crowd and then one-on-one.
Get me in a crowd of strangers, odds are high I will not say anything. I will disengage and, well, daydream (or perhaps wander away). I will lose myself in whatever the latest scenario I am exploring for a story. Add in a person I know, and I will gravitate to that person. (Hello my new BFF!) Add in a handful and suddenly you can’t get me to shut up.
One on one I am fine. I will talk about anything, doesn’t really matter. Unless we click, it’s on you to lead the conversation. So if you’re not willing, I will daydream once we are done with whatever level of polite conversation is needed. (Awkward silence == grab book)
I know they sometimes define extrovert as where you get your energy. Are you invigorated by being in a crowd of people? (Is invigorated defined and being a sweaty mess? or wondering where the nearest exit is?)
In a recent training one of the concepts was how you work through issues, do you need to talk it out or take ‘it’ and go back into your cave to think about it? (I might need to invest in puppets so I can talk it out)
Why this long conversation about being an introvert or an extrovert? Because I am writing a blog post.
My first. (Well it would have been first if I had not managed to post my second one first. lol It happens.)
My first real one. If I think about this as a one-on-one conversation I have a different visceral reaction than thinking I am shouting into the void or that a crowd of people nearby may or may not show any interest. (Not really sure which is worse)
So for my own sweet spot of interaction and piece of mind (and I don’t curl up in a ball crying) , I think I am going to think of this as talking to just a few friends, Or a few people I have the potential to be friends with. Or maybe an imaginary friend or a character in a story I am writing.
So hey, how are you doing?
Me? Good!
What do you do? That’s cool. Tell me more.
… (time passes)
Me? When I grow up I want to be a writer. (insert laugh)
Why do I write stories?
I like making people laugh. I like exploring ideas. I like making sh*t up.
Why do I write dark, but tend to have a happy ending? Honestly? I think it’s because I’m a mom. My mind is constantly in crisis mode as my kids narrowly miss being being a crazy statistic (Kids get away from that man-hole cover, you might fall to your death)
Oh yeah I have to go too. Let me know if there is anything you want to talk about next week.
Have a great week!