Introverts have very specific personality traits and needs. So how can you tell if you’re an introvert, so you can better understand yourself and thrive in life? Here are 6 tell-tale signs.

1 – An introvert doesn’t like noisy, crowded places

First of all, it’s important to understand that an introvert draws energy from solitude and quiet. Conversely, an extrovert draws energy from interaction with others.

In other words, while an extrovert gains energy from contact with others, an introvert loses it.

That’s why, logically, an introvert prefers quiet, soothing places. Because too many people and too much noise will quickly exhaust them.

2 – An introvert is sensitive to contact with others

Introversion makes you sensitive to all external stimuli.

That’s why introverts need to prepare themselves mentally and emotionally before social interaction, because they know it’s going to require a great deal of energy.

Be careful not to confuse this need with shyness or social anxiety.

Because introverts are sensitive to external stimuli, they won’t throw themselves in front of others as lightly as extroverts.

However, it’s not fear that will require them to prepare themselves mentally and emotionally, but rather the idea of the fatigue these interactions will provoke.

In fact, an introvert has no particular difficulty in reaching out to others, it’s simply that they’re aware that it will tire them out.

3 – They think and reflect a lot

An introvert is much more focused on his inner world than an extrovert, who is more focused on interacting with others.

I’d like to point out that there’s no one best way to be in life: in other words, we’re not here to compare and say which of an introvert or an extrovert is “better”.

Quite simply, each person has specific needs and different personality traits.

So, an introvert will pay particular attention to his inner world, his thoughts. They’ll like to spend time thinking and analyzing certain ideas, for example.

4 – She/He practices active listening without even realizing it

There’s a reason why introverts burn out when they’re around other people, and that’s because they practice active listening without even realizing it.

In other words, they listen attentively to others and make a great effort to understand them.

She/he will be attentive to the emotions and ideas of others. And that’s why interactions can be so exhausting.

5 – An introvert prefers intimate relationships

If you prefer quality to quantity when it comes to relationships, chances are you’re an introvert.

In fact, talking to lots of different people about anything and everything doesn’t really inspire you. Because you need to have much deeper, more in-depth conversations.

That’s why you need intimate relationships, which take longer to establish and aren’t possible with everyone.

In fact, it’s one of your personality traits that leads you to believe you’re shy. Not true! You have other needs than an extrovert, no more and no less.

6 – Introverts need time to themselves

Introverts need time to themselves, to recharge their batteries and to think.

In other words, they don’t constantly seek the attention of others. Quite the contrary, in fact.

That’s why the approval of others is not a particularly strong need. So she/he’ll be independent and self-reliant.

Be careful not to confuse this need for solitude with social phobia. Nothing to do with it. It’s a need, not an escape.

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover Hypersensitivity: 3 steps to better living with hypersensitivity
Discover Ways to make conversation even when you’re shy

I recommend this inspiring book:

My Life So Far by Jane Fonda

The author’s memoir discusses her experiences with shyness and introversion, and highlights how she dealt with these aspects of her personality in the public eye.
I liked the way she came across as very down-to-earth and human in her vulnerabilities.
I highly recommend reading this book.

Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself