According to the Psychology Glossary and Carl Jung's Theory of Personality, an introverted person focuses on and often preoccupies with their mental experiences, emotions, and thoughts. She is perfectly capable of being sociable if she wants to, but she often prefers to spend time alone.
You don't like answering the phone
Introverts go to great lengths to avoid phone calls. If you prefer to let the phone ring and then listen to your voicemails, if you encourage your friends to text you instead of calling, and if you prefer emails to phone calls, you probably have an introverted personality.
It's not that you don't love your family and friends; you simply prefer to be left alone and only bothered if absolutely necessary. Important conversations should be had face-to-face, because pointless chatter on the phone isn't for you. Your friends and family already know better than to take it personally!
You often walk around with your headphones in
If you always have your headphones with you and listen to music or podcasts on the bus or while exercising, you may be an introvert. Headphones are a great way to stay in your own world and prevent (or try to prevent) others from talking to you. Sometimes, you might wear your headphones without listening to anything. But don't tell anyone; it's an introvert's secret!
You really enjoy spending time alone.
You don't understand people who can't spend more than a minute alone and are constantly making plans so they never have to go home. You're not afraid of loneliness. In fact, you love your own company! There's nothing better than a night in with your books and Netflix, with no plans with anyone.
You enjoy socializing and going out with friends occasionally, but for you, alone time is a gift you always look forward to unwrapping.
You're the person who socializes with the cat at parties.
You want to be sociable, really! Only, you're not able to easily make small talk or start conversations with strangers. You're the type of person who's most comfortable with people you've known for years, whom you don't need to impress or get to know because you already know them. With your close friends, long pauses aren't uncomfortable; they're just moments of silence between heated debates about the existence of God and the possibility of finding love with just one person.
When you're in a room full of noisy strangers, the pressure to excel and be outgoing can become too much. A pet offers the perfect opportunity to step away and spend time with yourself and your new furry friend.
You hate networking
We all have to do it at one time or another. You may have attended business dinners or after-work get-togethers to advance your career and socialize with people who could help you. Some people adapt easily to social situations and enthusiastically offer their business cards. Not you. You'd rather have your fingernails pulled off than chat about trivial matters and feel like you sound completely fake.
You enjoy solitary activities
Hiking, canoeing, jogging, mountaineering, solo travel… they all interest you. Unlike those who crave the energy and comfort offered by group activities and social gatherings, you crave time spent with yourself. Solitary activities aren't to be avoided at all costs. In fact, you look forward to them. A two-day camping trip? A month-long trip to Italy? You've done it, you loved it, and you plan to take several more trips like this!
You don't get bored easily
The advantage of being an introvert is that, instinctively, you view solitude as a gift, not a burden. Since you've spent much of your life seizing opportunities to experience solitude, you've honed the skills and mechanisms that allow you to appreciate time spent alone. Your idea of heaven is curled up on the couch with a book. You enjoy solitary visits to a museum or art gallery so you can see everything without anyone rushing you. You also enjoy long bike rides or walks by the water; you take time to reflect and write. You believe that people who are always bored are boring, and you secretly feel sorry for them since they can't enjoy their own company.
You love writing
You take notes, make lists, and keep a journal. You enjoy reflecting while writing. Since introverted people don't like to chat too much about anything and everything, they save their deep thoughts for close friends or their journals. Writing allows you to reconnect with yourself, better understand your opinion on a subject, and even recharge your batteries.
Introverts often work in creative fields, where their sensitivity, observational skills (since they don't talk, they observe), attention to detail, and ability to think outside the box are key assets.
You don't like crowds.
For some, a night out on the town letting loose on the dance floor or in the front row of a concert is the perfect night out. For you, it's a nightmare. Crowds are loud, unruly, unpredictable, and very stressful. While you may enjoy attending a sporting event or a summer concert every now and then, you probably won't go out of your way to attend one. You'd rather watch a televised version of the event in the comfort of your own home. Why go to a crowded concert when the sound quality is so much better on your iPod?
You hate public speaking
Oral presentations at school terrified you. You don't like standing up to make a point in assemblies. It doesn't matter if you have a lot of experience in the field and know exactly what you're talking about. You don't like being the center of attention, and speaking in front of a crowd stresses you out a lot.
Introverts have a harder time asserting themselves in public and standing out in front of everyone. These are the same people who, as children, never raised their hand when their teacher asked questions, but always knew the answers. It's a shame they aren't more comfortable with public speaking, because they're thoughtful and introspective, which means they often have something relevant to offer.
You don't like surprises
You like to be in control of the situation as much as possible. Plans with unclear objectives stress you out. Birthday surprises scare you. The idea of being the center of attention at any event and not being in control of what happens, where it happens, and who will be there makes you hyperventilate or break out in hives. It's not that you hate parties or your loved ones, but you don't want to walk into a room full of screaming people unprepared.
You jump for joy when people cancel your plans
For some, there's nothing worse than last-minute cancellations. These people get mad at their friends, swear they'll never make plans again, and sulk for days. You, on the other hand, haven't even finished reading the text yet before you've started running a nice hot bath or putting on your pajamas.
The truth is, you make plans with your friends, but you don't like leaving the house. So you secretly hope the other person will cancel or postpone them, saving you the guilt of canceling in the first place.
You're a good judge of character
Since you're often quiet at social events, you have time to observe what's left unsaid, people's quirks, and their strange behaviors. As an introvert, you already know better than to judge by appearances, and you've learned to spot people's hidden talents (or flaws). Your lie detector is better than average, and you can sniff out insincerity and bad intentions. This is often why your friends come to you for sound and honest advice.
You Know Yourself
Introverts spend a lot of time observing, so they know themselves well and what makes them happy. You know yourself, you know the personality traits you can accept and those you can't, you know the paths that suit you best and those to avoid, and you invest unstinting energy and passion in what matters most to you.
You're not one to change jobs, hobbies, or partners. When it comes to what you love, you're very loyal. You're more of a long-term person. People often tell you that the person you were at 18 is very similar to the person you are today, at 38. Consistency and self-knowledge are your trademarks.
You appreciate life
A key element of introversion is the ability to enjoy the gift of life. Time spent alone, reading, thinking, writing, and asking existential questions give you a unique perspective and allow you to put everything into perspective. You don't get lost in guesswork; you enjoy the present moment. Even the little things, like a hot cup of coffee, a dog wagging its tail, and a beautiful sunset, fill you with joy. You enjoy it all!
