Ambivert- a person whose personality has a balance of introvert and extrovert features.

I wondered where I stood in the introvert/extrovert personality label. It felt weird because there are occasions that I just want to be alone and other times when I hunger for a social setting. Would that be an ambivert? Most people are considered ambiverts.

I always thought that an introvert was someone who was shy and an extrovert was outgoing. But an introvert personality is actually a person who recharges their batteries by having alone time. A lot of socializing can be overwhelming and exhausting. It’s just the opposite for the extrovert. Their batteries are recharged by being amongst other people. So, there can be shy extroverts and social outgoing introverts. And those who are a mixture of both have been tagged an ambivert.

Depending on the circumstances I respond in different ways, like an ambivert would. For example: Sometimes I want to be the person that meets new individuals at social gatherings, and other times I don’t want to talk to anyone. I suppose it depends on the function I am attending.

Knowing the difference in other people really helps to understand those around me. I understand why my husband will retire in the bedroom when our house has been filled with a lot of people. I understand why he had a hard time at Disneyland. Though he went (God bless him) it was a strain. I, on the other hand, though I would have liked to not wait in lines that seemed to take an eternity, enjoyed the crowds. I liked hearing the laughter, the people walking around me, the festivities. Crowds frustrate him, yet you can put him in front of a group of people and he has no trouble teaching on a subject he loves. I hate public speaking.

I understand my youngest who always wants a party at our house. She loves being around people and her batteries get recharged with social activities. When she was little, she told a few of the moms at her dance class that she was organizing a dance theme in the park. I had no idea. They approached me about it. I’m like, “no”.

Because she is an extrovert (gets her batteries recharged around socializing) yet can be shy, there were some difficult moments. She craved to socialize, yet had a hard time approaching new people. Her nephew on the other hand, who is the same age, is a social extrovert. He loves mixing in with a crowd and often when I would take them to a park when they were little, he would be seen running around with “new friends”. My daughter would watch him wishing she was more bold. One day at the park when my grandson, who was only 4 at the time, ended up with a bunch of middle school kids who were hanging out. I had to make him come back to me. He just craved to be a part of whatever was happening.

So what charges my batteries?

I do not always like to be alone. I would not enjoy going out to a movie alone, or eating out alone. I enjoy activity around me. I don’t even like the thought of living off the grid or even living in a very small town, though I have. And I would never make plans to get away to a cabin in the woods for a vacation, unless there were others to share it with me and plans were made.

There are times when being alone recharges my batteries and there are other times when socializing recharges my batteries. I guess I would be considered an ambivert, right?

But at the end of the day I do like to be alone with my thoughts. And when I get an opportunity I like to get away from everyone and write and sometimes even paint, or read a book. Quiet moments to just think, give me peace.

If I HAD to choose one, I would say that I am a social introvert.  I love to socialize; do not want to miss out on any get-togethers. That is why if I go to a new church I want to quickly get involved. As soon as I start a new job I like to connect with those like-minded. And when I move into a new community, I want to get to know the neighbors (somewhat). LOL

What recharges your batteries?

Bottom line: It doesn’t really matter. I am who God created me to be. We each have different visions, different goals, different personalities. And the amazing thing is that we are all created in the image of God.

HE MUST BE AWESOME!

For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth. Ps 47:2 NIV

There are as many mixtures of personalities and cultures and circumstances then there are fingerprints that match. We simply cannot be tagged and put in any box (although it certainly helps to understand one another). We each are a mystery created in the likeness of our Lord. There is no one else just like me, nor you.

I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” PS 139:14 NIV

I am ME.