Relax, It’s Just a Mental Condition
Are you anesthetized by small talk? Do you choreograph circus routines in your head during conference calls? Is email your preferred means of communication?
You, too, may be an introvert.
I remembered taking Myers-Briggs in high school, and even my classification—INTJ. But it wasn’t until recently, when a friend brought up the subject, that I went online to review my supposed inclinations, neuroses, and hang-ups.
Holy shit! It was almost like getting a diagnosis. Or at least an explanation for some of the strangeness. Not exceedingly shy, not socially retarded, introverts are just exhausted by too much human interaction. Happy hour for us is anything but. After a day at the office, we can’t get home fast enough to decompress and reset our over-stimulated brains. Over-stimulated, not from the work itself, but from having to exchange niceties, endure tedious meetings, and censor our weird opinions. Chronically misunderstood, it was nice to find a few articles bestowing some clarity and humor upon our condition. According to reader reaction, there are lots of us out there. If only I could find one to date.
The Atlantic explores introversion.
Caring for Your Introvert
Introverts of the World, Unite!
ESFPs: You probably won’t find these funny. Being an INTJ, I really don’t care.
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to INTJs
Getting Our Attention, Possibly Even Keeping It
Getting Your FAQs Straight
Diagnose yourself—for only $29!
Myers-Briggs 20-Minute Online Assessment
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m also an INTJ. I first took the test as a teen, and retook it ten years later. Still very firmly esconced in INTJ land. Hubby wavers between INTJ/INFJ, which means that he’s better at emotional stuff than I am. He persuaded me to give the whole human relationship thing a try. I suspect INTJs aren’t very good at reaching out, especially emotionally.
You’ve let yourself be captured, ay? I’m working on it. 40th birthday is my new deadline…
Have you done the Enneagram yet?
http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/begin.asp
I did some version of it when I was writing this but ended up confused. I’ll try your link…
Yay! More people like me!
I was the same way, when I started reading about my personality test results. It was great to find out a reason for why I am the way I am. I don’t use being INTJ as an excuse to being a total ass, but it can be quite frustrating to sound condescending when you weren’t meaning to.
It was just so refreshing to hear about others who thought that meetings and group projects are torture, and just want people to MAKE SENSE. I don’t think it’s too much to ask.