I see people describing themselves as either social butterflies, always out there getting energy from other people, or as introverts curled up in the corner reading a book and not wanting to be around anybody else.
I’ve always disliked giving myself labels. If I say “I am a _______________________,” it changes how I see myself. If I say I’m an introvert because I want some time by myself, I start seeing myself as an introvert, and it shapes how I interact with others. I think there are real introverts and extroverts, but I think that sometimes these labels are used to excuse not breaking out of your comfort zone. I’ve personally experienced thinking I wasn’t good at something, trying it, then enjoying it.
I find life more complex than the labels that we give ourselves.
I don’t necessarily enjoy settings where there are a lot of people to interact with, but I also hate watching television or going somewhere by myself. But I also can enjoy public speaking and doing things in crowds.
So I’m adopting the term “ambivert.”
An ambivert is “a person whose personality has a balance of extrovert and introvert features.” I think there are more ambiverts than true introverts and extroverts.
So ambiverts of the world unite, just not too much, we still need some down time.
Eponymous 