1radicaldreamer:

titotibok:

thepostgrad:

Extrovert vs. Introvert
There is this common misconception about the natural behaviour of extroverts and introverts; extroverts are often times characterized as being lively and talkative, while introverts are naturally quiet and withdrawn.

This isn’t true. It’s correct that when you meet someone shy and quiet they will more likely be and introvert than an extrovert; however, this doesn’t mean that introverts are naturally shy, or that shy people always have to be introverts. On the contrary, introverts can be very talkative and discuss for hours on end about topics that interest them.

The actual definition of an Introvert is someone who draws energy from being alone with their thoughts, while Extroverts draw their energy from being with others.

Introverts are people can who draw energy from being alone with their thoughts. They enjoy, and sometimes even need, a deep conversation with people they trust; they don’t like small talk, or rather often don’t see the point in it. But after a while they will feel the need to be alone again, to recharge and sort out things on their own.

Extroverts on the other hand, are people who draw their energy from being with others. They can enjoy being alone with their ideas and dreams just as an introverts can enjoy being around people, yet after a while they will feel the need to interact with others to fill up their energy.

This is extremely important to consider when practicing self-care. 

College—especially student organizing—was particularly unkind to my introvert ways. During my first three years of college, I was consistently answering emails, texting people, attending meetings, and spending time with folks. At Berkeley, I noticed two things about student organizing, interning, or serving as a staff/core member:

1. My peers were often 24/7 on the job because our community was convinced that political work never rested. (Often manifested as, “If we don’t do the work, who will?”) 
2. Building community means face-to-face or direct interaction. 

As such, a lot of my friends ended up burning out and stepping back from the community rather than having sustainable investment. This is why for my 4th and 5th year, I opted out of GBMs, town halls, and other community meetings so I could recharge and re-invest in larger impacts/actions. 

Now, I tell people not to call me after 5 PM for anything work or organizing related. If it can wait until the morning or wasn’t scheduled before-hand, we can discuss it tomorrow morning. Otherwise, 5 PM and onwards is family time and “me time” (Protip: “Me” time often involves a lot of red wine).

Of course, if there’s an emergency, then I tell folks to contact me. 

I also practice introvert self-care in my social life. Large venues like clubs, music festivals, and parties often leave me drained and irritated. I honestly find it exhausting (and sometimes a chore) to get out there, meet new people, and try to engage in meaningful conversation. As such, I’m the person at the party often smoking on the patio, holding a drink, and just enjoying something more than small talk. This is the reason why I detest going to Rage now. It’s honestly not worth the damn 4 hours of driving for me (unless, I have a good group of friends going and it’s a special night). 

For my friends and family out there organizing, I highly suggest you tend to your extrovert/introvert ways and also get a good understanding of your enneagrams. It’ll give you a bigger toolbox for knowing how to positively deal with all the cray that happens in your lives. 

Your commentary is so on point! And thank you for sharing! I’m in my 5th year in college and I too decided to opt out of GMs, meetings, etc. after years of student organizing. I also dislike going to large venues like Rage and other clubs because of those same reasons (exhaustion). It’s only recently that I found out I’m an introvert and I wished I found out sooner rather than blaming myself for not being as charismatic, outgoing, and social butterflies like my community organizing peers. I wished I found out what introvert means during my K-12 years too. 

Yup.  I’m still recovering/recharging from activism, even though i’m barely in my third year and i don’t think i did that much organizing…I have known what introvertedness is, but i still can’t help but feel that i’m a bit unequipped to be an activist…

I was looking this up independently just yesterday. I feel you, cuz social justice is so much putting yourself out there and fighting up close and personal. I’ve been discouraged before since I am introverted. (Really in any sort of real life situation i feel that extroversion is favored and in typical settings for social activism and development I get anxious (rallys, protests, public speaking events, conferences).) So I’m determined to make a place in this world (my world) for an introverted activist.