Pearl Nash
We often hear people saying that they’re an introvert or an extrovert…
While being an introvert means you’re more to yourself, being an extrovert means being more sociable.
…But what are the specific signs that differentiate these two types of people?
These are the surefire signs that will help you know which one you are!
1) Extroverts are talkers
Extroverts are the type of people that love to talk.
They are the sort of people that don’t seem to run out of words!
Simply put, they always have something to say and topics to talk about…
…And if the conversation runs dry, they’ll likely be the ones keeping it alive with random facts.
You won’t have any awkward pauses with extroverts:
You see, extroverts have a natural ability to talk with ease.
They rarely find themselves feeling anxious in social situations as they love to talk!
In fact, they thrive at the opportunity to chat to people – be it old or new friends!
If you’re someone that loves to talk to anyone – and is likely to strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know – it’s a sign that you’re more of an extrovert than introvert!
Take note next time you’re out and about, and really think about how you interact with others…
2) Extroverts love being around people
Given that extroverts are big talkers, it makes sense that they would also love being around people.
Truth is, extroverts can’t get enough of other people.
They love to be around people!
For extroverts, they’re in their element when talking to others about their thoughts and theories.
You could say that they’re in their flow!
It’s true that extroverts feel so energized from spending time with other people and they thrive off conversations with others.
Simply put, extroverts come away from social situations feeling a new sense of inspiration and energy.
This leads me to the next point…
3) Introverts feel drained by spending too much time with others
Unlike extroverts, introverts come away from social situations feeling drained.
Just speaking to others can cause them to feel like their energy is depleting.
They can feel more flat than energized from speaking to other people…
…And as though their energy has been stolen from them!
Simply put, introverts can feel like socializing sucks the life out of them and causes them to feel like they need to recharge.
They can find that socializing is mentally draining.
At the time, introverts might not be able to tell why they’re feeling so low energy but it always makes sense when they find their energy again in solitude.
4) Introverts prefer to not talk problems out
If an introvert is faced with a situation they need to try and work out, they won’t turn to other people.
Instead, it’s more likely that an introvert will turn inwards to get to the answer they need about a situation.
They won’t try and figure out a situation by talking their problem out…
…You can bet they’ll sit down quietly with their journal and start writing out their problems in the privacy of their own home.
On the other hand, extroverts are likely to jump on the phone and waste no time in talking through their problems.
As an extrovert, I’m familiar with this pattern!
Practically the first thing I do when I’m faced with a problem is to talk it out with other people and to collect opinions.
5) Extroverts don’t need a lot of alone time
While introverts need to recharge in their own company, extroverts don’t have such a high need for alone time.
Of course, we all like to have alone time…
…But the difference between extroverts and introverts is that the latter really need this time in order to come back into balance after socializing.
For introverts, it’s as though they would just be completely depleted without this alone time.
However, extroverts don’t have such a need for alone time.
Can you see the difference?
For extroverts, it is more of a desire to have space and clarity… Which we all need from time to time! But they don’t feel like they are depleted.
6) Introverts are described as ‘mellow’
You know you’re an introvert if you’re more of the ‘mellow’ one in a group.
Maybe people even tell you that you’re chill and mellow…
…And that’s how you’re known to others!
If this is the case, it’s likely you’re an introvert through-and-through.
You see, introverts aren’t the sort of people that are the center of attention.
They’re more likely to blend into the background and to not contribute as much as the extroverts, who love to lead conversations.
My boyfriend is an extrovert and you can really see the difference between him and some of his friends when he gets talking…
…He is often the one who leads the conversation with his stories and it encourages other people to share their stories.
Now, not everyone matches his energy but he is a key source of energy in conversations.
In my experience, every friendship group needs a couple of extroverts to help generate conversations and keep the energy high!
7) Extroverts have a lot of friends
You won’t be surprised to learn that extroverts have a lot of friends.
You see, someone who has so much to say constantly needs to have people to share their thoughts with.
It makes sense that extroverts would have a bunch of friends.
What’s more, when someone is high energy they attract other people who want to be around that sort of energy.
That’s not to say that introverts give off ‘bad’ energy, but just that extroverts have a lot of high energy they give off…
…Which attracts others!
Simply put, if you find yourself with a full social calendar and you enjoy everything about it, it’s a sign that you’re an extrovert.
8) Introverts don’t always pick up the phone
When the phone goes unexpectedly, are you someone who is likely to pick it up and happily chat for hours?
You can likely predict where this is going:
If the answer is ‘no’, it’s likely that you’re more on the introvert spectrum…
…While extroverts are more inclined to chat for hours with people on the line!
As an extrovert, I always find myself feeling excited when the phone goes.
You see, I find myself wondering who’s going to be on the end of the line and what we’re going to talk about!
On the other hand, if you get a pang of anxiety when the phone goes, it signals you’re almost definitely more of an introvert.
9) Extroverts enjoy group work
Thinking about how you are when it comes to work will help you get clear about whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert.
When it comes to ways of working, there’s a clear difference between introverts and extroverts:
You see, introverts prefer to work by themselves and are more suited to not being in an office…
…Meanwhile, extroverts thrive when they’re in a group environment and love being in the office where they can socialize and interact.
Of course, introverts and extroverts can enjoy both but just think about which you enjoy most for a surefire sign!
