The nature of the beast. The introvert that is Russell, The Artist.

Apart from point 9, with which I disagree with on a couple of elements, I love thrills and adrenaline, however, everything else in point 9 is correct. All the other points fit me precisely. This is Russ the Introvert and Artist.

TOP MYTHS ABOUT INTROVERTS
Myth #1 – Introverts don’t like to talk.
This is not true. Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something to say. They hate small talk. Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won’t shut up for days.

Myth #2 – Introverts are shy.
Shyness has nothing to do with being an Introvert. Introverts are not necessarily afraid of people. What they need is a reason to interact. They don’t interact for the sake of interacting. If you want to talk to an Introvert, just start talking. Don’t worry about being polite.

Myth #3 – Introverts are rude.
Introverts often don’t see a reason for beating around the bush with social pleasantries. They want everyone to just be real and honest. Unfortunately, this is not acceptable in most settings, so Introverts can feel a lot of pressure to fit in, which they find exhausting.

Myth #4 – Introverts don’t like people.
On the contrary, Introverts intensely value the few friends they have. They can count their close friends on one hand. If you are lucky enough for an introvert to consider you a friend, you probably have a loyal ally for life. Once you have earned their respect as being a person of substance, you’re in.

Myth #5 – Introverts don’t like to go out in public.
Nonsense. Introverts just don’t like to go out in public FOR AS LONG. They also like to avoid the complications that are involved in public activities. They take in data and experiences very quickly, and as a result, don’t need to be there for long to “get it.” They’re ready to go home, recharge, and process it all. In fact, recharging is absolutely crucial for Introverts.

Myth #6 – Introverts always want to be alone.
Introverts are perfectly comfortable with their own thoughts. They think a lot. They daydream. They like to have problems to work on, puzzles to solve. But they can also get incredibly lonely if they don’t have anyone to share their discoveries with. They crave an authentic and sincere connection with ONE PERSON at a time.

Myth #7 – Introverts are weird.
Introverts are often individualists. They don’t follow the crowd. They’d prefer to be valued for their novel ways of living. They think for themselves and because of that, they often challenge the norm. They don’t make most decisions based on what is popular or trendy.

Myth #8 – Introverts are aloof nerds.
Introverts are people who primarily look inward, paying close attention to their thoughts and emotions. It’s not that they are incapable of paying attention to what is going on around them, it’s just that their inner world is much more stimulating and rewarding to them.

Myth #9 – Introverts don’t know how to relax and have fun.
Introverts typically relax at home or in nature, not in busy public places. Introverts are not thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies. If there is too much talking and noise going on, they shut down. Their brains are too sensitive to the neurotransmitter called Dopamine. Introverts and Extroverts have different dominant neuro-pathways. Just look it up.

18 thoughts on “The nature of the beast. The introvert that is Russell, The Artist.

  1. This defines me also. Nothing irritates me more than someone who takes 15 sentences to say what could be said in 2. I love people, but I also love being alone. I need other people, just not 24/7 🙂 This is a great post. Nice to meet you.

  2. The way you redefine the myths of being an introvert, I totally fall into the category. And like you, the last myth doesn’t hold true for me either, I like thrills – nothing like river rafting of a wild roller coaster ride. Looks like we are soul-mates my friend…

    • I guess it is one of the reasons when photography suits us so much. We can express our vision as we see it. In fact I think true artistic photography is about introvertism, it originates from the inner world of our soul,, the picture taken is but a reflection of this.

  3. You call it the nature of the beast as if there was something unpleasant about it. I don’t see the beast, I see the artist and the guy. You’ve got a beautiful mind.

    I find the profile fits me perfectly as well – but then this is the internet, where in a dramatic subversion of the natural order of things introverts are the majority, not extroverts.

    There’s only one point I don’t fully agree with, and it’s the first, when it says that given a chance to talk about something they are interested in, introverts give vent to their loquacity. That’s imprecise. It’s not just about a chance to talk. It’s a matter of communion and it takes one of those special, intimate connections described in #4. It’s all about sharing one’s inner world with that one person who can understand it. (This combined with #6 and #8 might explain why I’ve always been disinclined to talk, but such a prolific writer on the other hand)

    I also find there’s one more myth missing in the list – that introverts aren’t affectionate or passionate or hungry for love. Only because we introverts need time to recharge – and we need that time alone – or because more often than not we are exploring infinite mazes of “what-if?” inside our minds (and we need that to keep sane and stay true to ourselves) it doesn’t mean we aren’t in love – genuinely, loyally, profoundly – and that that person means the world to us.

    Just curious – have you ever taken the Myers-Briggs test (MBTI)? Google it up in case. I’m not a fan of labels of any sort, but it can be an interesting tool that provides some insight into motives, behaviors, interactions and the way you process information. Curious fact – I took the test (in one form or another), on different occasions, years apart; but in spite of all the changes I went through, personality-wise, up to this day I still get the same result.

    So, maybe, there are things about our personality that are ingrained and cannot be changed (the nature of the beast as you call it).

  4. I loved this post! I’ve always been an introvert, but for some reason felt like it had a negative connotation for the longest time. Now I don’t mind calling myself an introvert at all. To me it just means you can be social when you feel like it and keep to yourself when you don’t.

    • Hi Carly. Glad you liked it. Exactly, you are social when you feel like it or when someone has something interesting to talk about. If someone is rattling on about nothing in particular, talking just for the sake of talking that’s when I go quiet. I can’t handle these people.

      • Exactly. Even worse is when an over-talker traps you and you end up having to listen to a long, one-sided conversation about the person’s cat or relationship problems. That’s why I like blogging…you get to read what interests you and noboby can make you read the rest.

  5. This was fun to read! Thanks for sharing. Dare I admit that I’m an extrovert?…ahem. But my dearest, closest friends are all introverts. Lucky me! 🙂 I like your analogy of artistic photography being about someone’s ‘inner world’. Very thought provoking.

    • Glad you enjoyed it. Extroverts are fun to be around as well 🙂 For me, photography is a reflection of something that comes from inside, My best pictures are always the one where I feel I have a real connection with the subject. Not just that something or someone looks good but that I have something in common with that I am looking at. This is why my work is so personal to me, it is a reflection of who I am. When I first started exhibiting it was a really strange feeling knowing that people were judging not only my work but also some of the very deepest elements of who I am.

      • I completely agree. I feel the same way about writing. No matter the subject, the author’s values, worldview and deepest longings/fears seep through! Scary but rewarding. Looking forward to browsing more of your photos. I like it when photographers help me see things with new eyes.

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