I am honestly kind of a random thinker, but once I get fixated on a topic, I tend to spend a lot of time pondering it and digging quite deep mentally (sometimes to the point of total confusion and having to stop thinking about it for awhile). Well, lately I've been thinking a lot about extroverts and introverts. I know a lot of us have taken that Meyers/Briggs test, either in a psychology class or just online, and the very first part of the result displays whether you are more extroverted or introverted (E or I)

It has honestly been awhile since I’ve taken that test (I took it in Psych 101) but I do remember being an “I” and that I was about sixty something percent introverted. So I guess I am kind of a mixture of both, but I’m honestly kind of proud that the “I” won out. It’s weird, in my class, I was kind of getting the vibe that most people were wanting to be “E”s. I think there tends to be an assumption (and this is putting it bluntly) that extroverts are happy, carefree, fun people with active lives and tons of friends and that introverts are quiet, shy “thinkers” who just like to sit alone in their room all day.

Well, I think those of you that know me well probably wouldn’t use “quiet” as their adjective of choice to describe me, and from some of my closest friends, “nut” and “crazy” are some common ones I’ve heard used. BUT…a lot of people I know have told me that they thought I was so quiet and reserved when they first met me, and so when the silliness comes out, it totally catches them off guard. My boss even said this at a staff meeting the other day, and everyone around the table who interacts with me on a daily basis burst out laughing. But like I said before, I am quite proud of my introverted-ness, and I think that’s because it’s been with me much longer. When I was little and starting school, I was quite shy and timid, and I think the “E” in me has been ever-so-gradually added the older I have gotten.

Another conclusion I think I’ve come to is that our extrovert and introvert tendencies are greatly influenced by those around us, whether it be our friends or merely acquaintances. For example, one of my closest friends, Julie, is an obvious extrovert. If she and I were having a conversation with a total stranger, I’d bet you money that “John Doe” would later say that Julie was talkative and outgoing, and that Megan was shy and quiet. But if John were to have a conversation with me and someone who was more shy than myself, then I would most likely step up and carry on our end of the conversation more, which could lead John to later say, “Oh yeah, Megan is pretty outgoing and talkative.” If you think about it, it’s crazy how much we tend to tweak how we act depending on who else is around or who we’re talking to. I’m not even saying that’s bad, I guess it’s just us adapting to the “environment”, but it is still kind or a bummer to think that lots of people probably never see who we truly are.

Another constantly pondered issue is, “Who meshes with who?” For example, should an extrovert marry an introvert? Many would say yes, because they could balance each other out. Many others would say no way, each would drive the other one crazy. OK, so an extrovert should marry an extrovert. Oh wait, then they might talk each other crazy or burn each other out. What about an introvert and an introvert? Hmm, then would anybody talk at all? Ok, obviously I’m being a little silly, but it IS interesting to think about what compliments what, and what doesn’t. Same goes with friendships. We all have people that we click with instantly, people that we don’t click with at all, and still some people that it may take awhile to click with, but it still ends up being a great friendship. There’s even people that we may THINK we click with at first, but in the long run, we can’t stand them anymore. Anyway, this is obviously a way bigger issue than just extroverted versus introverted, but I still can’t help but wonder how big of a role it plays. If one person is extremely shy and another cannot STOP talking, it may just take just one tiny thing that could connect them and make them best friends, in spite of their contrasting personalities. And that just goes to show how intricate relationships are and how the Lord knows exactly what He is doing in how He created us and who He brings into our lives.

Anyway, I know this was long and I hope at least some of it made sense. I just thought it’d be fun to spill out some of the randomness of my brain. Thoughts and comments welcome! Auf  Wiedersehen!