The last few hours of the day is most likely the only time of day that many of us are allowed to be our true selves. At home, behind closed doors, we can be true to our own nature, and not be trying to fit in to all the other social groups we find ourselves in the middle of during our day.
If you are an introvert, I think you know what I'm talking about. One-third of us are introverts.
We live in a society that believes that loud, confident, socially adept people are the smart ones. They are the ones that lead companies, win elections, become successful. They are our leaders and we should all aspire to be like them. If you are shy, sensitive, like to work alone, you are definitely at a disadvantage when it comes to getting ahead. So, many of us that fall into that category learn coping skills. We learn how to be an ambivert: extrovert during the day (when it's called for) and introvert at night, when we can be blissfully quiet. That's when an introvert shines. It just so happens to be The Signal time too.
I've just finished the book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain. I realize I am way more of an introvert than I thought. I can turn on the extrovert when needs be, but it's only when I'm alone that I do my best creative work, when I feel I am truly at ease.
Anais Nin said: "Our culture made a virtue of living only as extroverts. We discouraged the inner journey, the quest for a center. So we lost our center and have to find it again." Giving introverts the space and the solitude to work the way they need to is the first step. Open plan office space is the third ring of hell for an introvert.
Susan Cain says "the secret to life is to put yourself in the right lighting. For some it's a Broadway spotlight; for others, a lamplit desk." The Signal can't help you with the Broadway tunes, but music for lamplit desks….we're on it.
What's it like being an introvert living in an extrovert's world?
If you're not sure which you are, take this test.
Yours in quiet solidarity,
Laurie
Related:
The Power of Introverts: A Manifesto for Quiet Brilliance