6 Things Only Introverts Understand
There are certain things only introverts understand, like enjoying eating out alone.
Being an introvert comes with a lot of advantages, from the way we really think things through and love planning (even our daily agenda) to the way we make good listeners and are there for our friends unconditionally. (After all, introverts make the best friends!)
However, some people may have a hard time “getting” us; fellow introverts, however, will — it’s like we have a secret, unspoken language. See if you can relate to these six things that only we introverts understand.
6 Things Only Introverts Understand
1. You love the freedom of spending time alone.
While extroverts draw energy from the people around them in loud, energetic environments, we introverts are the opposite. We find such events exhausting and don’t like jumping from event to event and meeting more and more new people. Instead, we spend much of our time alone, and we like it that way.
If you are an introvert, you know that solitude is essential to your comfort, mental stability, and happiness — because you feel most like yourself when no one else is around. Plus, in our alone time, we enjoy our artistic passions and quiet intellectual hobbies.
Now, this doesn’t mean that introverts don’t like other people — many have deep friendships and connections with others who “get” them. But we still prefer our alone time and need it to recharge.
2. You feel extremely connected to nature.
Do you find a sense of fulfilment in nature? Would you go into the wilderness for days on end, or do you get out and take walks as much as you can?
Many introverts love getting out into nature, especially solo — going on a hike or spending a few quiet hours reading by the water makes for a perfect afternoon because noisier settings can be overwhelming for an introvert. And if you work in a busy job environment and constantly have to engage with others, that adds to the overwhelm, too.
The longer you are immersed in such a busy space, the more you disconnect from yourself. So getting outside is the perfect escape. For example, a quiet, relaxing trip into nature — like an excursion into the forest or mountains — can help you find a sense of clarity and you can reconnect with your inner self.
3. You enjoy listening more than talking.
While a lot of people seem to talk just for the sake of talking, you can’t say that about introverts. We are great listeners and truly understand the power of listening. Unfortunately, some people do not feel heard in their daily lives and may have a hard time expressing themselves because they don’t feel like anyone really cares or listens. But find an introvert and you’ll likely find an attentive, active listener!
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4. You want to connect with others — but also want enough time for yourself.
Many introverts experience two conflicting desires — we crave meaningful, lasting relationships (not just surface-level ones) and want to connect with people on a deeper level. Yet we also crave our introvert independence to be alone. We need this time to escape from everyone and everything — times we just want to run away from the world and simply enjoy the peace and quiet.
So how do you strike the right balance between deep relationships and independence? For many introverts, this is a lifelong struggle. Your two conflicting impulses pull you in opposite directions day after day. To an extrovert, this might be easy to solve, but we introverts are often torn between these two very different wants and needs.
5. You don’t mind if plans get canceled.
Do you get excited before a party or big event… or do you secretly hope they’ll get canceled and you won’t have to go after all?
We introverts often find ourselves wishing for rainy days and plans to fall through, while other people get excited before a big event or outing that they’ve actually been looking forward to. Extroverts get energized at such events, but to us introverts, we often find ourselves drained.
While some introverts like to be social, there is a limit to how much socializing any introvert can stand. When you’ve reached your limit and your social battery gets depleted, all you want to do is try to leave as quickly as possible and get back to the comfort of your own space. (Hopefully, this means going home, but hiding out in the bathroom or outside for a while will do if necessary.)
In any case, if plans get canceled, the weight of any social event falls off your shoulders. And for us introverts, that’s a huge relief.
6. You’re fine going out alone.
Do you take yourself out to eat? There is a stigma for dining alone — some people (like extroverts) might think it is lonely or sad. If they see someone dining alone, they assume the person doesn’t have any friends to eat with. But introverts know there is nothing wrong with eating by yourself. In fact, it can be more fun than eating with others.
First of all, eating alone gives you a chance to enjoy your food. You develop a greater appreciation for the food you’re eating when you can focus solely on what’s on your plate. When you’re eating with others, your attention is divided between the food and conversation. Oftentimes, your meal fades into the background because you are too busy thinking about what to say. But if you dine alone, you don’t have to think — because conversation is not on the menu. Instead, you can carefully enjoy your food or, like many introverts can relate to, you can observe the environment around you.
Introverts, what else would you add to this list? Let me know in the comments below. 
