Happy Luau

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Introversion and a New Creative Community



Here is a great article about introversion from Psychology Today, for all of you fellow introverts and for those who want to understand us! I hope you enjoy it.

I found out about the article via the Queen of Creativity---Kate---who also has a new creative community called The Queen of Creativity Castle on ning. I have followed Kate's art on her blog for years and watched it grow and develop; she inspires me and I'm delighted to be a part of this new community. It you want to flex your creativity muscles, visit and consider joining in!

~Photo by LoveHubbie Mark with my edits

8 comments:

Kate Robertson said...

Thanks Olivia for the shout out. Glad you liked that article I found on line. It helps me understant my daughter a little better too.

Kate

Olivia said...

Yes, Kate, and I mention your Castle on an upcoming video for OTV as well :) xoO

Unknown said...

Great article! I grew up as a shy child - incredibly painfully shy. I have learned how to be extroverted in social settings (I always say I suck it up and turn it on) but once I'm home, I'm wiped out. I can manage if I have time to be alone or to at least be quiet and not have the pressure to entertain. This article had some good insight in a way that embraced the differences...

Olivia said...

Thanks, Kristine. The same with me as well, although I can't really get to "extroverted", more to simply "sociable". I always prefer to find an interesting person or two and delve into a deeper conversation with them than to try to speak with many people or in a group.

For me, it's almost like people are televisions, and if one is on, I can follow it. If two are on, it's really hard. If a bunch of them are on at the same time, and I'm having to focus, it's almost impossible.

I thought so too about the article, thanks again to Kate Robertson who found it.

Thanks for commenting, Kristine...xoO

Sylvain said...

Being engaged to an Introvert, I'd say this article is bang on. Luckily Kelly has successfully helped me understand this, and I've come to accept it as part of the sweet package that is her. It wasn't easy at first, because until you understand it can feel like rejection. Now, for the most part, we just laugh about it. I always know it's time for me to quiet down or leave the room when her eyes glaze over. :-)

CrystalChick said...

I don't know if I would consider my husband to be an introvert, but he is definitely less social and more shy than I am. He'll chat with guys at work, talk to a couple neighbors, hang out with our friends... but I know there are instances when he would much rather be home. He's not fond of bookstore cafes or anywhere small like that where he feels he's on display. He can blend into a crowd okay but would hate the attention to focus on him for any reason. We were just talking about his upcoming birthday. He'll be 50 and of course I want to do something for him. He specifically said there is to be NO party!
At our daughter's wedding, he did the traditional father/daughter dance but was quite uncomfortable and I dragged him to the dance floor for a disco song that I like and he was horrified. He mentioned it a few times afterwards and how uncomfortable it was so I made sure to ask our friend to edit that part out of the video so he wouldn't ever have to relive it.

Even though I am an extrovert and not easily embarrassed or very shy, I still do enjoy quiet time. Right now, I'm alone in our house, the dogs are sleeping and the only noise is the clacking of the keyboard. Even sometimes at the bookstore, I'll put my headphones on and get into a zone.

I stopped by Kate's blog and said hello!

Olivia said...

Yes, Sylvain, it is SO not personal. I wish everyone could understand this. It does take a bit of getting used to and experiencing to truly understand it.

I think it's a bit like sleep. You're tired when you're tired and eventually you have to go to bed, no matter who you're with and what you're doing.

Support like what you offer Kelly is vital to an introvert. It is a wonderful feeling to be understood.

I am also very fortunate in that Mark gets how I am this way and is supportive as well. He is very social and is glad to be around people or alone.

Good to see you here, Sylvain, and thanks for commenting! :) xoO

Olivia said...

Hi, Mary Catherine! Yes, your husband sounds shy as well as introverted. I too am shy and don't like the spotlight on me.

If I am with just a couple of people who I can actually talk to and engage with though, I enjoy it very much--for a few hours--and then everything starts to get less and less enjoyable. If I push things I've found I will eventually feel a strong need to leave. If I stay and keep trying I'll ultimately (after a very long time) have a panic attack. I thus try to listen to my body and retire when I need to.

It's funny isn't it that often opposites like you and your husband attract? Maybe then they balance each other out a bit. Or one learns from the other. I'm not sure. It sounds like you both have worked things out well!

I'm glad you went and gave Kate a shout out. She's doing a lot this month between her Castle and NaNoWriMo.

Thanks for sharing, Mary. xoO