And although I accepted that about myself a long time ago, I have always been secretly ashamed of it. If you are also an introvert, you know what I'm talking about. It's a BAD, BAD thing to be introverted. It means that you're anti-social, no fun, nerdy, sad and alone. In my particular case, it also means that you say the wrong thing at the wrong time and are considered bitchy, controlling and arrogant.
I believed these labels, sincerely. I thought that it was just one of those things; stopped trying to be a social butterfly because it was painful to do and to watch and I retreated into my intellect. At least I knew that I was smart and I consoled myself with that ... and being amusingly bitchy sometimes.
Fast forward to now, and this book. It is rare that you read a book and feel liberated, and I am certainly not addicted to the self-help books that peddle that feeling for a living. But this is not a self-help book. It's a book, written by an introvert, that extensively researched why introverts are not pariahs. Introverts rock, actually, according to this book. We have strengths and power that extroverts DON'T have.
While it looks like it's fun to be the life of every party and have a dizzying circle of acquaintances, we introverts can, do and have contributed so much to the world that it's clear that mankind couldn't have survived without us (I'm just saying).
And OMG the FREEDOM I felt after reading this ... I have been carrying around so much guilt about leaving parties early or never going. Or being the only one in group to point out the flaws in the group plan, thereby being cast as the group 'downer'. About feeling like my head was about to explode every time I prepared to do announcements at my former church. Or about dropping friends who just wanted to 'do stuff' and never sit and talk about real issues. A lot of guilt ... and it all rolled off my back as I understood my psychological makeup and saw it as a strength, not as a weakness.
I think all introverts need a book like this. Even extroverts who love introverts (don't have lot of those in my life now) should read it, and get a better understanding of our motivations and your own. I certainly have gotten some valuable insight and much needed self-esteem boost ... plus validation for the days that I REALYYYYYYY don't want to see any of you people (but love you, muah!)
