Signs of an introvert can be a pretty easy indicator for you to find out if you are one. While extroverts tend to be constantly surrounded by people, introverts tend to be alone most of the time.
That person isn’t necessarily socially anxious; not all introverts prefer alone time. Still, when you heard the word introvert, you think about a shy person, someone with social anxiety.
Aside from spending time alone, let’s see what else introverted people tend to do and how to spot one. If you think that you might be an introvert, say hurray because today you’ll find out.
In today’s article, we bring you 13 super clear signs of an introverted personality. Aside from the most often personality trait of introverts, you’ll find out more about this personality type. Stay with us as we bring you all of that below.
What Is An Introverted Person Like? How To Recognize An Introvert?
It is quite easy to recognize an introvert in society. The person who is the quietest, taciturn, and hides his gaze is an introvert.
The next time when someone is extremely quiet with you, you aren’t boring them. Well, maybe you are if others have told you, but they are probably introverts.
They often have their head down so they don’t make eye contact with other people. A person whose body language says that they’re not open to communication is an introverted person in a group of people.
Introverts on the bus or train will be the ones with headphones in their ears or with a book. They will do this to avoid communication with people.
Of course, not all people who read on the bus are introverts. This is just one example that you can take into account the next time you see this.
13 Signs Of An Introvert: Traits That Introverts Show!
We will all easily recognize an extrovert. When they walk into a room, everyone needs to know they’re there.
They’ll talk right away, and they’ll even walk a certain way to be recognized, but what’s an introvert to do?
An introvert can go somewhere without others even knowing that he is present. What are the habits and things that introverts do? Let’s find out 13 of them.
1. If You Prefer Alone Time, You Are One
Why do introverts love being alone? We all know very well that introverts value alone time, but why? This need for time alone is often seen by society as a flaw. They use this time for self-reflection and for thinking.
Introverts gain energy from their alone time. We believe that this is a gift and that these people have no problem being alone because they are sure of themselves.
Not having the constant need to speak, but to listen and be alone is a very visible sign of introversion. This is why it is easy for introverts to feel left out.
Yes, that’s right, most of the time introverts choose solitude themselves. But not always, very often society drives them there even deeper. Society values those who speak loudly, and the quiet voice of introverts is rarely heard. Because of this, introverts find solace in solitude.
2. If You Have Great Emotional Regulation Skills, You Might Be An Introvert
The benefits of time alone are a lot of time for self-reflection. This is why introverts are very skilled at regulating their emotions.
In the time they spend alone, they will have time to think about their emotions. If they were negative towards someone, they will direct that negativity somewhere else.
They will think about their actions, and they will learn to control their emotions. Because of this, they may not express anger as often as they should. They will have a greater dose of calm compared to other people.
3. In Case You “Just” Observe In Social Events, Introvert Alert
Yes, introverts are adventurous and you might meet those types as well. But most introverts will be the quiet shy people who just sit and observe.
If you take your introverted friends to a party for example, especially if you force it, we have to tell you 3 things.
You are mean, you got your own benefit from it and why would you do that? Your introverted friends will literally just sit around and observe. They’ll observe people making out, drinking, and dancing, while they’ll be anxious ad bored.
They will not feel the drive to talk to someone first because of fear and nervousness. Rarely on these occasions, someone will approach a super quiet shy girl or a boy.
4. Avoiding Small Talk Is An Obvious Indicator Of An Introvert
It is much easier for introverts to start small talk than to engage in a serious conversation. Rarely, almost never, the first will start a conversation. If it happens, it will be through social networks, never live.
In-person, they should certainly be tipsy to try such a thing. When they engage in a conversation with someone, they will look for deeper answers, explore below the surface, and ask things that are surprisingly interesting.
When dating an introvert, you’ll get a chance to see this and to make sure it’s truly like this. You will never get bored talking to your introverted girlfriend or boyfriend.
5. Gaining Energy When Alone Is A Clear Sign Of An Introvert
We have already hinted above that introverts gain energy when they are alone. Of course, this does not mean that they are only energetic when they are happy.
In their private time, they regenerate themselves for meeting people. This is especially true for introverts who work in crowded places. Constant communication often tires extroverts as well, but they don’t need as much alone time as introverts do.
Extroverts’ energy increases when they are surrounded by people and have fun. For introverts, it is solitude, a time to think and relax.
Imagine constant talking with people for whom that’s a natural nightmare. One of the everyday rituals introverts need to protect their energy is definitely alone time for energy gain.
6. You Might Recognize Yourself As An Introvert If You Choose Friends Carefully
While extroverts will very easily call people in their environment friends, introverts will be cautious. Extroverts learn to choose their friends carefully when they betray them or when they are treated badly.
Introverts will rarely be betrayed by their friends. They mostly have their friends all their life, and they choose new ones carefully.
This is due to their social settings and the fact that they certainly won’t talk to everyone. Another reason is the fact that they don’t want to let everyone into their precious little circle of people.
If you see that someone is sort of testing you while talking to you, he or she might be an introvert. They just want to make sure you’re worthy of their time and love.
7. Spot Introvert In Yourself When Seeking Meaningful Interactions
We think the best way to describe this is with a quote from by Laurie Helgoe from our introvert quotes article. “Isn’t it refreshing to know that what comes perfectly naturally for you is your greatest strength? Your power is in your nature.”
Ever got a random text that was a way into a philosophical discussion on Tinder? Oh yes, if you did, that was the introverted guy or a girl that texted you. Introverts initiate meaningful conversations at the very beginning.
If you engage in conversation with an introvert, you will learn a lot about them and they will learn a lot about you in one night. They will open up a whole new world of conversation.
After a conversation with an introvert, you will find other conversations a bit silly and insignificant, believe me.
They don’t question as much as extroverts, they listen and actually hear people. Light chitchat simply doesn’t fit them very well. That is why they rock meaningful interactions.
8. Another Indicator Of An Introverted Person Are Creative Imaginations
The creative minds of introverts are exactly one of the important reasons the world needs introverts. Some of the greatest minds of our age and past centuries as well were introverted minds.
Albert Einstein, J.K. Rowling, A. Lincoln, and Eleanor Roosevelt are just some examples. Theories in physics, revolutionary changes, and Harry Potter are just some of the things we got from the excellent minds of introverted people.
If someone in your work rarely speaks, I’m sure it’s really worthwhile when they in fact speak. This is how you spot an introvert in the workplace. As Einstein said, “quiet people have the loudest minds.”
When your normally quiet coworkers approach you with an idea at work, listen carefully. These ideas won’t be silly at all and will be very worthwhile when you do.
9. Introvert Alert When Having Inner Monologue Before Speaking
Introverts will hesitate for a long time because of their fear of being judged and of course the fear of speaking in front of a large number of people.
You will even notice how some people’s lips move before they speak. This is precise because of their inner conversations before we actually hear them.
10. Self-Awareness Is One Of The Biggest Signs Of Introvert
It may seem that due to social settings, introverts lack self-awareness, but this is not true. In inactive situations, they are very much able to focus on positive things.
When they are alone, they will often think about their actions and how they affect other people.
Introverts will realize their mistakes much faster than extroverts. Very quickly they will discover their bad habits and how they affect them.
When they think about these things, they will also learn to balance their emotions. This is not just one stand-alone request.
Self-awareness is a process that is learned and lasts. But for now, introverts are leading the way in this process alongside the other types of personality we know.
11. Taking Time To Make Your Decisions Reveals Your Introverted Personality
Are you very rational and calculating? If so, then it is very likely that you are an introvert. Extroverts make hasty decisions, so they often seem adventurous to us.
Of course, sometimes it’s just stupid and irrational, but sometimes it can be fun.
Introverts will take “safety” more into account, they will think about the consequences, how their decision affects other people, and so on.
Adult introverts who are in relationships are easily recognizable by their perfectly balanced decisions. They often result in good life results and life security, especially financially.
12. Giving Your Honest Thoughts On Anything Shows You’re An Introvert
Introverted people are often said not to know how to lie. They will be the most honest people in your life.
If it seems to you that you have a good honest relationship with someone, or that you are like that, then you or they are introverts. When asked for your opinion, you will be completely honest, at all costs.
This is also why introverts have long-term, lifelong friends. Only true friendships last so long if you are always secure with your friend.
13. If You Get A Social Burnout Very Often, You Are An Introverted Person
When you go to parties and gatherings often, you will want a weekend of silence and solitude. But with introverts, this will happen maybe on a weekly level, for anxious introverts on a daily level.
Introverts who work in companies may sneak off to the bathroom for 5 minutes to take a few breaths.
Introverts will go outside for a coffee break and refresh their minds. If introverts do not react immediately when they feel burned out, bigger problems will appear.
Forcing and working under pressure and nervousness can cause a sudden panic attack. On Friday, at the end of the working week, introverts will feel very tired and simply drained.
For extroverts, this fatigue is on a physical and psychological level. For introverts, this fatigue is psychological and emotional.
They will probably want to spend the weekend alone at home. At best, they will have one-on-one time with a friend.
What Are The 4 Types Of An Introvert?
We have 4 types of introverts:
- thinking introverts
- anxious introverts
- social introverts
- restrained introverts
Now that we know the basic signs of recognizing an introvert, let’s see how to recognize the top introverts.
Not every introvert is the same, nor does everyone like to be alone. Let’s see some basic differences between the 4 types of introverts.
Thinking Introverts
Thinking introvert will spend most of his/her time in her/his own minds. Thinking introverts have a pretty creative imagination. Of all four introvert types, thinking and anxious introverts are most known for their self-awareness.
Thinking introverts are usually alone or in small groups of a maximum of 2 or 3 people. They will rather make phone calls than video calls with people, even their close friends or family.
This introvert type has a big level of self-understanding too. Social interaction aside from their close friends is often minimum.
Anxious Introverts
Anxious introvert are those shy people you’ll meet. They prefer social isolation and social withdrawal most of the time. They are exactly the opposite character of an outgoing person.
Their anxiety makes them feel disconnected from all social gatherings and events. In a world with gatherings, events, and parties, they will rather step away from those large groups into the peaceful environment of their homes.
Such interactions cause them anxiety and sometimes, even panic attacks. If someone, by any chance, forces them into going somewhere that is crowded, they will feel exhausted very, very soon.
The person they’ll spend time talking with the most is their family. For this type of introvert, it’s best to find jobs for introverts with anxiety to avoid pressure and nervous feeling all the time.
Social Introvert
Although the name suggests that these introverts like to spend time with people, this is not really the case. This type of introvert will first negotiate their time alone before arranging to hang out.
They are more focused on their internal feelings and stimulations than external stimulation. They don’t like mindless chitchat, as all the other introverts too. If they do spend time interacting, it will be with their close friends only.
When they get a negative evaluation from people, they will most often withdraw from that group of people. A psychotherapist from the Soho Center for Mental Health says that social introverts are not interested in big social situations such as parties.
As we all know, that is the place where is very possible for other people to judge us and form negative opinions about us based on our social skills.
Restrained/Inhibited Introvert
Restrained introverts will keep their guard up until they get to know the person better. Inhibited introverts will have to become quite close to the person in order to open up to them and become comfortable with them.
But there is one difference that sets her apart from other introverts. This introverted type will not be as shy and silent as the other three species. They will still think about when to speak and what to say.
Wrapping Up
While extroverts generally spot introverts very well, since they’re completely opposite, today all of you learned how to spot introverts too. You saw the most common types of behavior and habits of adult introverts.
Social interactions of introverted people are pretty simple, and their close relationships often include a person or two. Through the signs of an introvert, we sincerely hope you were able to see if you are one as well.
It mind sound silly that you have to read something to see if you are in fact-that. But trust me, it is not silly at all. Most people will just think of themselves as weird or wicked before finding out the real story behind it.
We would be glad if we were able to show you how introverts function in society and to open a window into their internal feelings.
