Yes, It’s OK to Be an Introvert
Are you more of the quiet type? Are you wondering what that means — and whether it’s OK to be an introvert? You’re not alone. Our society still favors extroverts, and many “quiet types” get the message that it’s not OK to be an introvert — but that doesn’t make it true. And those perspectives are changing.
Yes, being an introvert is OK. It’s a natural part of who you are, it comes with a lot of advantages and, yes, sometimes you’ll get tired if you’re around people too long. But introverts can be fun, interesting, social, and even outgoing when they want to be.
They can also be profound thinkers a beloved part of any group.
It’s OK to be an introvert, and it’s something you can be proud of.
Being an Introvert is Normal
Many people grow up with misconceptions about what it means to be an introvert. The truth is pretty simple:
- Being an introvert is normal and healthy.
30 to 50 percent of the population is introverted. - Being an introvert does not mean you’re shy or have social anxiety.
Some introverts do, others don’t. And it’s possible to overcome them. - Being an introvert can be your biggest strength.
It allows you to focus, think deeply, and — in many cases — achieve things that no one else can.
Are you an introvert? Take the introvert test and find out.
7 Reasons It’s OK to Be an Introvert
1. You were born that way
It’s true. Introversion is genetic, and infants will show signs of being an introvert within a few months of birth. Introversion is considered a normal, healthy temperament — it’s something you can be proud of.
2. Some of the greatest people in history were introverts.
Because introverts focus and think carefully about how to do things, they’re often more than just OK — they’re high achievers. And that shows in how many successful and famous introverts we’ve had throughout history.
Examples of famous introverts include pop icon Lorde; actors Audrey Hepburn, Meg Ryan, Clint Eastwood and Harrison Ford; Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling and children’s author Dr. Seuss; comedian Steve Martin; Civil Rights heroine Rosa Parks; former Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama; classical composer Frederic Chopin; former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt; genius physicist Albert Einstein, visionary entrepreneur Elon Musk, and billionaire investor Warren Buffet; and, according to many accounts, even Mahatma Gandhi.
But that barely scratches the surface. You could easily count the majority of the world’s authors, artists, and musicians as introverts — and many say so openly.
3. Introverts tend to be creative, deep thinkers.
This goes hand in hand with why so many introverts get ahead — both in the creative fields and out of them. Introverts tend to think on a deep level, producing clever solutions and new ideas that others can’t match.
This creativity pays off whether you consider yourself an artist or not. In any career, problem-solvers and creative thinkers tend to get ahead, and can even transform the way a company or industry works. Yeah, thats sounds pretty OK.
4. You form deeper relationships.
Extroverts tend to strike up a friendship with almost everyone they meet. It’s easy to envy that — but many of those relationships aren’t actually that deep. In fact, extroverts tend to have wide networks of hundreds of people they barely know, while introverts tend to have much closer relationships with a smaller number of people.
That can be advantageous. When you form close, lasting relationships, you tend to be surrounded by people you can truly count on. And, since you take the time to get to know those people on a deep level, you will be capable of truly profound, mutually enriching conversations — not just small talk.
The result is that introverts tend to have mentors, creative collaborators, and vital moral support when they need it most. That’s a lot better than just having bar buddies.
5. You are privy to a rich inner world.
Not every introvert would consider themselves to have an “imagination” in the traditional sense. But all introverts have the power to go deep into an inner world of ideas. For some, that might mean mapping out an entire dream world for their next painting. For others, it may mean envisioning and planning every step of a project.
Either way, it gives introverts the power to envision things without trying them in the real world, and to draw on that vision to do big things.
(Plus, it’s just relaxing. I mean, the joy of reading, daydreaming, pondering — is that the number one thing that makes being an introvert OK?)
6. You have a quiet power that commands respect.
If you’re younger you might not have experienced this yet, but it’s coming.
Everyone thinks of leaders as loud, brash, aggressive types. And yeah, there are leaders like that. But even they stop and listen when the wise, quiet person in the corner speaks up and drops a truth bomb.
Introverts have been rocking quiet power since the age of the legend of Merlin — if not earlier.
7. It’s never been a better time to be an introvert.
For many years, it’s true what it wasn’t considered OK to be an introvert. Introverts were misunderstood, overlooked, or told there was something wrong with them (hint: there isn’t). But that has changed.
Today, more people understand what it feels like to be an introvert than ever before. If you tell someone you’re an introvert, chances are they’ll know what you mean — and they’ll probably be fine with it. In fact, people will even be understanding if you need to leave an event early or take some quiet time for yourself. They’re OK with you being an introvert.
And, when you mention that you’re an introvert, a funny things happens: you find out you’re not alone. More than a third of the people around you are introverts, and many will be happy to know you’re one too.
Yeah, maybe it’s OK to be an introvert after all.
Being an Introvert Is More Than OK — It’s a Strength
The truth is, it’s more than just OK to be an introvert. When you learn to understand your personality, and you make it a priority to get the quiet time you need, it becomes a source of strength. You can draw on your introversion to be thoughtful, observant, a good listener, a creative thinker, and a beloved friend.
Being an introvert is an advantage. We hope that’s OK with you.