by Andi Daniel, Technology Coordinator
January 2, 2024
In recent years there has been increased interest in personality types. One of the most widely talked about in the general public is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. This test involves questions about 4 pairs of opposites and results in one of 16 four-letter personality types. You may have seen people refer to themselves by these types such as INFP, INTJ, ESTP, ESFP, etc. I haven’t come across any counselors who use these personality types to inform their work with consumers, but they can be somewhat insightful for the individual. I have taken the test and for me, the results were not unexpected.
I am introverted. People who know me are often surprised by that because I am an actor in a theatre company and am quite comfortable speaking in front of people. I often am seen as bubbly in social situations in which I am comfortable. Introversion is sometimes seen as shyness or anxiety around people but that isn’t necessarily accurate. Am I shy around people? I am quite shy around people I don’t know very well. I do have social anxiety, so I sometimes am viewed as not liking people. These factors aren’t directly related to my introversion, though. My parents sometimes worried about how much time I spent alone and would try to coax me out of my room to spend time with the family. This was rarely a positive experience.
Being with groups of people drains me and I need time to myself to rest my mind and body. Even activities that I enjoy can deplete my energy. In the last few years, I have recognized that I experience an emotional and physical crash after a longer term event like being in a theatre production. I don’t always have time to recharge if I am very busy and I can push off that need for solitude for a while. When the event is over, I am exhausted and want to be alone. These crashes used to significantly affect my ability to function for several days after the event. Once I recognized the pattern, I was able to keep myself on an even keel and maintain my functionality. Just the awareness allows me to acknowledge how I feel, take some time for myself, and get back to my life. If I need a full day to just sleep, I allow myself to do that. It isn’t that I am trying to catch up on missed sleep, it is just that sleep is restorative. My mind is quiet while I sleep and my body gets rest.
Montana Actors' Theatre Variety Show mascot by Andi Daniel
Introverts tend to be introspective, creative, and analytical. When I am considering a large purchase, I will spend hours investigating the options and determining what is the best product for me. I compare features and read reviews. I analyze the pros and cons. This sometimes means it takes me weeks to make a decision but when I allow myself that time, I am less likely to regret my purchase. My creativity is generally solitary. I paint, sew, crochet, and do graphic design. This doesn’t mean that I don’t seek input, especially when creating something that will be public. I recently created a mascot for a variety show and collaborated with another person on design. I would create something and send it to that person who would give me feedback. I would consider the feedback for a day or so, then return to the project. This was kind of a long process, but we are both happy with the results.
I am a bit of a dichotomy. While I am very introspective, I am also an external processor. This is part of why therapy is helpful for me. I need to say things out loud to really process through them and make decisions. I used to spend hours on the phone with my mom and grandma when I was trying to figure something out. I kind of talked “at” them instead of “with” them. They knew that I would come up with the answer on my own, but I needed to talk it through. My oldest daughter is also this kind of processor. She will call me when she is on her way home from work and I don’t even really need to respond to her other than basic acknowledgment that I am hearing her. She sometimes asks for an opinion (I would do that with my mom and grandma, too) but usually she just needs to talk.
Working from home has been amazing for me. I find myself more able to be social because I am not expending a lot of energy working directly with people for 8 hours a day. It is easier to go out with friends for dinner or to events because I haven’t depleted by energy reserves at work. Working from home also allows me to work on my schedule which helps maintain my energy levels. My ideal sleep schedule is 2am-10am. I am more productive when I can keep this schedule most days.
Neither introversion nor extroversion are all positive or negative. They are just different ways of interacting with the world around us. Honoring our strengths helps us be more satisfied with our lives. I don’t need to be like my cousin who talks to every person at an event. Instead of schmoozing with patrons at a fundraiser, for example, can quietly observe and fill in gaps when something needs to be handled. This doesn’t result in people donating money, but it does help the night run smoother. I leave the actual donation asks to those who have those strengths. Recognizing these things makes the world easier to navigate.