scijessreads

A is for Alone.

Maybe this is immediately obvious, maybe not. But many introverts crave alone time. Time not in the company of other people. Being wholly involved in yourself, while probably narcissistic to a degree, is something that is innate in a person that craves being away from the rest of world and the people that can drain so much of our energy. Energy that is hard to regain when it is drained and lost to the demands of a life that requires too much interaction with others. 

B is for Blanket(s).

Wrapped up like a burrito, cocooned in the cozy softness and warm embrace of a really good layer of fuzzy fabric… blankets are a love language. The softer the better. It evokes hibernation and safety and a shield against everything outside of your little blanket cave. 

C is for Coffee.

Any hot beverage, really. Maybe it’s just my version of being an introvert, but it almost feels as if being in and with yourself requires a love of cozy things. Safe things. Warm things. Maybe introverts are closet Hygge enthusiasts. Give us blankets and candles and coffee (or tea or cocoa) and we can be perfectly happy in our own little bubble. 

D is for Dichotomy. 

To a degree, there is a pull to be alone, to be insular. But there is also a push to go out and get involved in the world. In our minds, we are perfectly happy when apart from everything, but can have that little voice in the back of our minds going “maybe you should step outside your comfort zone.” It’s a balance between what we want and what others think we should be and what we need to do to be able to live in the world. There is no good way not to feel pulled in different directions, even when the core of you wants to be quiet. 

E is for Elusive.

I think true introversion makes one seem a bit mysterious. We are quiet and sometimes shy, reticent to get involved or get too loud. And this can make others feel as if we are sneaking through life, not participating and somehow just slipping in and out of moments. 

F is for Fidgeting.

Even in the quiet, our minds are always working, moving, turning over every thought and interaction. To sort through is to appear still, but be busy under the surface. 

G is for Guarded.

It takes a lot to vault the walls an introvert can place around their sacred spaces. They are not for everyone. If you manage to scale the defenses, consider yourself honored. Because not many make it that far. 

H is for Home.

Home is safe. Home is comfort. Home is love. 

I is for Invisible.

We are good a blending in. At paying attention to everything, yet participating in nothing. This can be used as a cloak of protection, but also a way to be part of something larger without having to expend energy that is not there to lose. 

J is for Journey.

Even when staying in place, we can take a long adventure in our minds. In our activities. Introverts may be quiet, but we are not necessarily going to stay in one spot. Sometimes, I can be my most introverted self when alone on a trail, out in nature. On a road trip to anywhere. Being in the world, but also in my own world at the same time. 

K is for Kindred. 

I think we introverts have some sort of sense or radar for other introverts. For those like us where in public we can smile, nod, and know that we are part of the same group. From a distance. We are good and finding others that are OK with doing things near each other, but don’t have to do the same thing with each other. Parallel play was made for introverts. 

L is for Listen.

Our ears are always open. We hear it all, even if it seems like we aren’t paying attention. 

M is for Memes.

The humor out there surrounding introverts is pretty spot on. And I love that I can share memes with others, without the stress of having to actually have a full-blown conversation. 

N is for Naps.

This kinda goes with the whole blankets thing. Sleep is refreshing, and naps are glorious. It is peace and comfort and a chance to not have to deal with the rest of the world. 

O is for Observe.

Much like our ability to listen, we also observe. I think that some of the best people-watchers and those that understand the human condition are introverts because we are always watching what happens around us. It is a way to be in the world without having to be active in everything. 

P is for Preparations. 

So much of dealing with the world requires preparing for all possible outcomes. There isn’t much “winging-it” going on. We need to prepare for the energy expenditure that getting outside of the bubble requires. 

Q is for Quiet.

This, I think, is self-explanatory. 

R is for Recharge.

Being alone, being quiet, being away from everything, this is where introverts recharge. We do not get energy from others, we get energy from our safe spaces. 

S is for Silence. 

On the surface, this seems like it would be the same as being quiet. But there is nuance here. Quiet is calmness, stillness, moderation. Silence is the absence of sound. Sometimes you can find quiet in spaces with noise, or in spaces that are minimal. But silence is the complete absence of the noise. Sometimes one is more needed than the other, and sometimes they are needed at the same time. 

T is for Technology.

Often, I joke that I want to be a hermit in a cabin. But with internet access. Technology is a way for introverts to stay engaged with the world, but have a physical separation, a wall of anonymity, between us and everyone else. 

U is for Undervalued.

Extroversion, loudness, people who are comfortable in a crowd… these seem to be things the world want everyone to be. But the introvert is just as important. The introvert thinks deeply, speaks when they have something to say (not just to speak). The quiet contain multitudes, and should not be overlooked. 

V is for Vexed. 

So much of the world can be frustrating for those that want to escape the noise. Expectations can be frustrating. The lack of understanding of our needs can be frustrating. Frustration can also lead to an introvert just not wanting to engage anymore. 

W is for Wishes. 

A wish to be understood. A wish to be accepted. A wish to not have to explain ourselves all the damn time. 

X is for Xyst. 

Do you know how hard it is to find words that start with X? That arent about biology? A xyst is a long open portico (think covered walkway or path). And it makes me think about lazy strolled through nature, to be outside, but covered and secluded. To take the time to enjoy the outdoors, but also have a bit of protection. 

Y is for Yearning. 

Intensity, longing… these are words that speak to the heart of an introvert and what we dream about. A longing to find our peace, to find understanding, to find a place to be safe and ourselves, without any expectations to the contrary. 

Z is for Zephyr.

Like X, Z is a hard one to find words for. A zephyr is a soft, gentle breeze. And the imagery for this fits so much of what an introvert is. Soft, gentle, quiet, there but not overpowering.