Introvert, Extrovert, or Ambivert -- Which One Are You? Or Are You Different Things in Different Situations?

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Are You An Introvert, Extrovert, Or Ambivert? And Does It Change?

  • I am an extovert.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I am outside of ALl of these definitions (tell us why!)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I am X, but wish I could be Y instead. (Why is that?)

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    12

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
16,683
5,601
113
#1
Hey Everyone

Funny side note: as I was typing "Introvert," I then went on to type "OUT-trovert" -- because for some reason, my brain was thinking of social interaction classifications as being like belly buttons -- making people either an "innie," or an "outtie." :ROFL:

I pulled up a few definitions from Google:

* Introvert -- a person whose personality is characterized by a preference for solitude, often appearing reserved and quiet, and gaining energy from spending time alone, rather than being around large groups of people; they tend to be more introspective and thoughtful, feeling drained after extensive social interaction.

* Extrovert -- a person characterized by their outgoing, socially confident, and active behavior. Extroverts tend to be energized by being around other people, enjoying social gatherings, and often feel energized. They are typically perceived as talkative, enthusiastic, and assertive. Unlike introverts, who may need time alone after socializing to recharge, extroverts frequent find that engaging with others helps them recharge and feel their best.

* Ambivert -- a person who has features of both an introvert (someone who prefers to spend time alone) and an extrovert (someone who prefers to be with other people.) Ambiverts are also sometimes called outgoing or social introverts.

* Which categories do you fit under?

* Do you have different definitions of these classifications? If so, how would YOU define them?

* Are you different things in different situations? Give us some examples.

* Do you fit outside ALL of these descriptions? How would YOU define yourself?

I'm going to write a multple choice poll with the answers being visible -- but please come back and discuss how you see yourself and/or how others see yourself in your post.

I find this to be a fascinating subject, and I'm looking forward to learning about this aspect in others.
 
Nov 14, 2024
541
336
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#2
Oh, boy. Here we go.

When it comes to God, I am definitely an introvert. In other words, I cherish time alone with him; whether in personal Bible study or prayer. I have also always felt much more comfortable worshipping God in private as opposed to doing so in the midst of an assembly of people. I guess that the other people distract me in that I tend to lose total focus on God while focusing somewhat on those around me.

When it comes to people, I am definitely an extrovert. You know, energetic, outgoing, and liable to say or do anything to get things going. However, seeing how so many people have shunned me simply because I am a Christian, I tend to live an introverted life, but not by choice.

Ambivert? I did not even know that word existed until someone mentioned it on a thread the other day, but if you consider both my preferred introverted relationship with God and my preferred extroverted relationship with people, then I guess that I am an ambivert.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
16,683
5,601
113
#6
Oh, boy. Here we go.

When it comes to God, I am definitely an introvert. In other words, I cherish time alone with him; whether in personal Bible study or prayer. I have also always felt much more comfortable worshipping God in private as opposed to doing so in the midst of an assembly of people. I guess that the other people distract me in that I tend to lose total focus on God while focusing somewhat on those around me.

When it comes to people, I am definitely an extrovert. You know, energetic, outgoing, and liable to say or do anything to get things going. However, seeing how so many people have shunned me simply because I am a Christian, I tend to live an introverted life, but not by choice.

Ambivert? I did not even know that word existed until someone mentioned it on a thread the other day, but if you consider both my preferred introverted relationship with God and my preferred extroverted relationship with people, then I guess that I am an ambivert.
I am truly sorry for the treatment you've received for being a Christian. :cry:

I will pray that God will send you some receptive people along the way to keep your spirits up. 🙏🌹❤️
 
Nov 14, 2024
541
336
63
#7
I am truly sorry for the treatment you've received for being a Christian. :cry:
To be quite honest with you, I would be a lot more concerned if I was not being rejected (not by everyone, but by some people) for being a Christian. As Jesus said:

Mat 5:10
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

I knew the cost of discipleship early on, and Jesus said that the world would hate me because it hated him first, and most of it does. Thankfully, some people (a tiny handful) appreciate me because I am a Christian. In fact, somebody just texted me and told me that they are thankful for me (because I am a Christian) this Thanksgiving, and somebody else texted me and told me that they appreciate me for the same reason about a month ago. My fan club is running strong with two active members (three really, and maybe four). Believe me, there were years, as in several of them, when I had nobody to talk to but God, so I am trending in the right direction. The last two years, I have had people invite me over for Thanksgiving. For years before that, it was just me, myself, and I.
I will pray that God will send you some receptive people along the way to keep your spirits up. 🙏🌹❤️
Thank you, and that is a prayer that I would like to see answered. First, so others might be saved. Second, so I might have some actual fellowship for more than about 3 times a year (which has been my average for the last several years).

Either way, God's grace will carry me through. After all, that is what has gotten me this far.

By the way, if they ever invent a new category, a "let's-cast-him-headlong-off-a-cliff-vert," then I am definitely one of those. It's really just par for the course. All who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Hopefully, it is my godly living that is the cause. If so, then I am doing fine in God's eyes. It does get lonely at times though, and I would be lying if I said that it didn't.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
16,683
5,601
113
#8
To be quite honest with you, I would be a lot more concerned if I was not being rejected (not by everyone, but by some people) for being a Christian. As Jesus said:

Mat 5:10
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

I knew the cost of discipleship early on, and Jesus said that the world would hate me because it hated him first, and most of it does. Thankfully, some people (a tiny handful) appreciate me because I am a Christian. In fact, somebody just texted me and told me that they are thankful for me (because I am a Christian) this Thanksgiving, and somebody else texted me and told me that they appreciate me for the same reason about a month ago. My fan club is running strong with two active members (three really, and maybe four). Believe me, there were years, as in several of them, when I had nobody to talk to but God, so I am trending in the right direction. The last two years, I have had people invite me over for Thanksgiving. For years before that, it was just me, myself, and I.
Thank you, and that is a prayer that I would like to see answered. First, so others might be saved. Second, so I might have some actual fellowship for more than about 3 times a year (which has been my average for the last several years).

Either way, God's grace will carry me through. After all, that is what has gotten me this far.

By the way, if they ever invent a new category, a "let's-cast-him-headlong-off-a-cliff-vert," then I am definitely one of those. It's really just par for the course. All who live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. Hopefully, it is my godly living that is the cause. If so, then I am doing fine in God's eyes. It does get lonely at times though, and I would be lying if I said that it didn't.
Yes, we all go through rejection in some way, especially as Christians.

My strongest confrontations have always been from within the Christian community itself. I've usually gotten along well with people of all kinds of beliefs, but when it comes to Christians, I'm too this for some, and too that for others -- and they never fail to try to "correct" me for not thinking like them.

I'm thankful to have found others though whom I CAN fellowship with, even if it's all online.

I understand well regarding the me, myself, and I. I've had holidays too where I sat alone with a bowl of cold cereal. Now, I certainly can't complain about that -- I still had a place to live and obviously I even had something to eat!

But much of what you post resonates very well.

I'm so glad you're finding some fellowship here. For me, it's been a lifesaver and while I know it's not for everyone, God can definitely use a place like this to bring people together.

I wish you all the best in finding "your people" and I hope you'll keep us updated of how it's going. :)
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
16,683
5,601
113
#10
I was raised in circumstances that either brought out or trained me to be an extrovert and to always be around people. I even got to a point where I felt like I could never be alone. But then things happened in my life that forced me to be very, very alone. At first, and for many years, I felt like I was dying, but after a very long time, I started to feed off some of the alone time instead.

I find this subject to be so interesting because I've often wondered if people can change from one thing to the other over time, or if life situations brings out more of another side we didn't have a reason or chance to tap into before. I suppose it's probably a combination of both. For whatever reason, events I found to be traumatic drastically changed my social expressiven)ess.

I don't see myself as an ambivert, but nowadays I always say I am an introvert who can masquerade as an extrovert when needed (there's something very James Bond-ish about thinking of it that way!) :ROFL:

I know the "Extrovert's Playbook" fairly well -- but can only utilize it in short bursts, or else I power down like a robot with a dying battery. I'm usually not afraid to talk to people, unless there's something about them that reminds me of people who have made fun of me in the past. Speaking in front of crowds usually doesn't bother me. But I need loads of introverted recharging time to recover. I really enjoy online interaction because everyone can all participate at their own pace.

Ironically, people have told me I seem "very" extroverted online. I can understand that, I guess since I start a lot of threads.

But one of the biggest surprises some of the people here who've met have had is when I show up on their doorstep, give them a big hug -- and then promptly wall myself up in a cave for a while (often texting them along the way :LOL:) until I can recover.
 

Going_Nowhere

Well-known member
Nov 10, 2019
1,729
945
113
#13
People have never liked me. And I've never liked them.


Wouldn't consider myself an introvert though. Personally, I don't like that term.


I'm a hermit. Plain and simple. ;)


 

Tall_Timbers

Well-known member
Mar 31, 2023
1,247
1,342
113
68
Cheyenne WY
christiancommunityforum.com
#14
I am well into the introvert quadrant but as I've aged I've become a little more comfortable with those situations that are usually uncomfortable for an introvert and I probably behave a little less like an introvert in social situations, at least sometimes. But I remain an introvert.
 

Subhumanoidal

Well-known member
Sep 17, 2018
4,094
3,196
113
#15
Introvert here.
When I was a teen I was an introvert, but under the right circumstances could bust out of my shell.
A funny example is when my youth pastor asked us leaders to speak in front of the youth group. A mini sermon. It was only 10-15 people and I was an absolute mess I was so nervous. I couldn't wait to be done.
Yet when I was in a band and we played in front of 200 people, I was not the least bit shy. And afterwards even went on a little preaching speel that I had to make myself stop or who knows how long I'd have gone on haha. This, too, was as a teen.
Something about being in a band brought something out in me.

Now I hate to be the center of attention, ever. My introversion has definitely gotten stronger over the years. Especially the last 10 or 15 years. But I do still have a social streak in me. But I don't care for groups. Instead I prefer one on one talks with someone I'm comfortable with.
Small talk with strangers still makes me nervous. I'm not very good at it and I often get funny looks when someone instigates it with me.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
16,683
5,601
113
#16
Does anyone else find it odd that introverts are the ones responding?
A very perceptive observation!

One of the main things I like so much about written interaction like this -- it often encourages, or offers the chance for those who might not normally speak up to feel more at ease to contribute.

I've also always wondered if sites like this, by nature, attract a larger number of introverts as a whole.

I suppose it could be argued that that most of the extroverts are out having "real" conversations with people in person rather than words on a screen.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
16,683
5,601
113
#17
Introvert here.
When I was a teen I was an introvert, but under the right circumstances could bust out of my shell.
A funny example is when my youth pastor asked us leaders to speak in front of the youth group. A mini sermon. It was only 10-15 people and I was an absolute mess I was so nervous. I couldn't wait to be done.
Yet when I was in a band and we played in front of 200 people, I was not the least bit shy. And afterwards even went on a little preaching speel that I had to make myself stop or who knows how long I'd have gone on haha. This, too, was as a teen.
Something about being in a band brought something out in me.


Now I hate to be the center of attention, ever. My introversion has definitely gotten stronger over the years. Especially the last 10 or 15 years. But I do still have a social streak in me. But I don't care for groups. Instead I prefer one on one talks with someone I'm comfortable with.
Small talk with strangers still makes me nervous. I'm not very good at it and I often get funny looks when someone instigates it with me.
This is fascinating.

Do you think it was your love of music -- maybe the distraction of something you're so passionate about -- and the camaraderie of being surrounded by others with that same interest, that suddenly made your fears of public speaking disappear?
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
20,074
6,880
113
62
#18
A very perceptive observation!

One of the main things I like so much about written interaction like this -- it often encourages, or offers the chance for those who might not normally speak up to feel more at ease to contribute.

I've also always wondered if sites like this, by nature, attract a larger number of introverts as a whole.

I suppose it could be argued that that most of the extroverts are out having "real" conversations with people in person rather than words on a screen.
I do suppose introverts would feel more comfortable online than in person.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,701
9,628
113
#19
I was raised in circumstances that either brought out or trained me to be an extrovert and to always be around people. I even got to a point where I felt like I could never be alone. But then things happened in my life that forced me to be very, very alone. At first, and for many years, I felt like I was dying, but after a very long time, I started to feed off some of the alone time instead.

I find this subject to be so interesting because I've often wondered if people can change from one thing to the other over time, or if life situations brings out more of another side we didn't have a reason or chance to tap into before. I suppose it's probably a combination of both. For whatever reason, events I found to be traumatic drastically changed my social expressiven)ess.

I don't see myself as an ambivert, but nowadays I always say I am an introvert who can masquerade as an extrovert when needed (there's something very James Bond-ish about thinking of it that way!) :ROFL:

I know the "Extrovert's Playbook" fairly well -- but can only utilize it in short bursts, or else I power down like a robot with a dying battery. I'm usually not afraid to talk to people, unless there's something about them that reminds me of people who have made fun of me in the past. Speaking in front of crowds usually doesn't bother me. But I need loads of introverted recharging time to recover. I really enjoy online interaction because everyone can all participate at their own pace.

Ironically, people have told me I seem "very" extroverted online. I can understand that, I guess since I start a lot of threads.

But one of the biggest surprises some of the people here who've met have had is when I show up on their doorstep, give them a big hug -- and then promptly wall myself up in a cave for a while (often texting them along the way :LOL:) until I can recover.
 
Nov 14, 2024
541
336
63
#20
Yes, we all go through rejection in some way, especially as Christians.

My strongest confrontations have always been from within the Christian community itself. I've usually gotten along well with people of all kinds of beliefs, but when it comes to Christians, I'm too this for some, and too that for others -- and they never fail to try to "correct" me for not thinking like them.

I'm thankful to have found others though whom I CAN fellowship with, even if it's all online.

I understand well regarding the me, myself, and I. I've had holidays too where I sat alone with a bowl of cold cereal. Now, I certainly can't complain about that -- I still had a place to live and obviously I even had something to eat!

But much of what you post resonates very well.

I'm so glad you're finding some fellowship here. For me, it's been a lifesaver and while I know it's not for everyone, God can definitely use a place like this to bring people together.

I wish you all the best in finding "your people" and I hope you'll keep us updated of how it's going. :)
I've always been primarily ostracized by the Christian community as well, and that is why I never have fellowship in that type of arena except for with a tiny handful of Christian friends.

I'm sorry that you have sat alone as well. Well, not counting your stuffed animals. I've just gotten used to it, so today was a treat because i actually had some human fellowship/interaction in person. Not that I am complaining, but, in all honesty, that was probably the fifth time in the last two years that I had any real human interaction. That's 5 out of the last 730 days. Somehow, God's grace sufficiently gets me up and through every day.

Anyhow, thanks for your kind words. They do help. Happy Thanksgiving.