20 Myths About Introverts  main image
Scroll Down To Continue

20 Myths About Introverts

There’s an old saying that says “There are two types of people.” While there’s a ton of ways you can assign people, one of the most common ways to break people up is extroverts and introverts. An extrovert is the type of person that loves being around people and chatting. On the other hand, introverts prefer to be alone and quiet. Actually, scratch that. There aren’t two different types of people. Some introverts don’t mind being around people, and some extroverts would rather listen than talk. The truth is, there are tons of different kinds of people in the world.

Introverts suffer from this the most. There are just too many stigmas attached to being an introvert from our apparent shyness to our seemingly rude behaviors. News flash! Every person on earth is different, and that includes introverts. It's about time that these myths get removed, and people start seeing the way we really are.

We’re breaking down some of the most common myths that surround being an introvert and debunking them. If you know an introvert, chances are they’ve heard some of these so-called “facts.” Get ready to learn the truth behind these 20 myths about introverts!

We always want to be alone.

We always want to be alone.

Introverts certainly love their alone time because it gives us time to recharge from a busy week or complete tasks that we've been meaning to do. Despite this, we still enjoy socializing! Whether it's with friends, family, co-workers, or those that share the same interests, we can have a lot of fun hanging out. 

Our society stigmatizes those that like being alone as being strange. Sometimes, we're often happier being by ourselves because we greatly enjoy our own company. 

We don't like people.

We don't like people.

People assume that because introverts like their alone time, they don’t like people. 

In reality, most introverts enjoy seeing people regularly. They simply need their alone time to recharge.

We are all shy.

We are all shy.

Some introverts are shy, some are not. 

Even if someone is quiet, it may just mean they are selective with their words or enjoy listening to what others have to say.

We can't be leaders.

We can't be leaders.

Just because someone doesn’t enjoy spending all their time around people, it doesn’t mean they don’t have the qualities of a good leader: integrity, passion, and patience.

Both introverts and extroverts can make remarkable leaders.

We aren't good at public speaking.

We aren't good at public speaking.

Some of the greatest known speakers of all time were/are known introverts: Eleanor Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, and Barack Obama, to name a few. 

Introverts tend to serve the audience, which helps them captivate whomever they are speaking to.

We're easy to find in a room.

We're easy to find in a room.

Introverts aren’t always the ones hiding in the corner of the room. Some are the life of the party when they are around people.

In the same respect, not all extroverts are talkative 24/7.

We are rude.

We are rude.

Frequent silence and brevity when speaking is often taken for arrogance, but oftentimes it’s simply because that person chooses their words carefully and doesn’t care for pointless small talk.

It's always better to think before you speak.

We have low self-esteem.

We have low self-esteem.

Just because an introvert is reserved and does not boast about themselves, it doesn’t mean they have low self-esteem. 

Many introverts have high self-esteem, which is evidenced by their lack of need for outside validation.

We always want to stay at home.

We always want to stay at home.

Introverts don’t always want to stay at home (just most of the time). 

Many of us are perfectly happy going out with friends to a bar or restaurant, but we also enjoy the comfort of a familiar place.

We're weird.

We're weird.

Yeah, we are probably a little weird, but honestly, who isn’t? Being weird makes you interesting and memorable. 

This one is actually a compliment to most of us!

We're nerdy.

We're nerdy.

It’s true that many introverts enjoy the company of a good book or video game, but for every one of those introverts, there’s another who is hooked on reality television or some other non-stereotypical introvert activity.

Introverts are just as diverse as any other group of people.

We don't know how to let loose.

We don't know how to let loose.

We introverts let loose in our own way! Sometimes, all it requires for us to unwind and relax is a glass of wine or a cup of coffee. 

Going to a nightclub and drinking $50 worth of alcohol isn’t everyone’s definition of a good time.

We don't have any friends.

We don't have any friends.

Most introverts don’t have massive social circles, but nearly all of us have a small group of tight-knit friends.

A lot of introverts even have one or two friends they can hang around all the time!

We are sly and devious.

We are sly and devious.

Many introverts are both quiet and intelligent, which automatically leads people to believe that they’re sly and devious. 

Yet, it’s unfair to assume that just because someone rarely speaks that they’re plotting behind your back (paranoid much?).

We can (and should) try to be more extroverted.

We can (and should) try to be more extroverted.

For a long time, people thought that introversion was something that can and should be ‘cured.’ For one thing, it can’t be cured. For another, it shouldn’t be! 

There are a lot of benefits that come with being an introvert, and we don’t want to lose them!

We have negative personalities.

We have negative personalities.

More alone-time gives you more time to think and analyze things in your life -- that much is true unless you’re delving headfirst into your favorite book. 

However, just because we’re ruminating on something doesn’t mean that we have negative thoughts or personalities. We can be just as upbeat as an extrovert when we feel like it.  

Yuya Parker - stock.adobe.com

We’re depressed.

We’re depressed.

Being by yourself is often linked to depression – it’s actually listed as a symptom of depression. However, we don’t really get depressed just because we’re by ourselves. 

Maybe this rumor comes from extroverts that prefer to be around friends or else they become depressed, but most of us introverts are just fine on our own.

Cavan for Adobe - stock.adobe.com

We’re more creative and intellectual than extroverts.

We’re more creative and intellectual than extroverts.

There are plenty of myths that suggest introverts are more creative than extroverts, and that’s just not true. Sure, there are some introverts that have been incredibly smart, like Albert Einstein and Charles Darwin, but extroverts can be just as intelligent and creative. 

Steve Jobs and Margaret Thatcher were extroverts and both creative and extremely intellectual.

bedya - stock.adobe.com

We have poor social skills.

We have poor social skills.

Introverts are more than capable of developing fantastic social skills. In fact, some can be incredibly hilarious or ooze charm when they feel like talking. 

Lack of talking in certain situations doesn’t necessarily mean we don’t talk at all, either.

MandriaPix - stock.adobe.com

We always prefer to listen.

We always prefer to listen.

Just like anyone, we enjoy talking about things we love, but we may need an invitation to do so. 

It’s true that introverts spend more time listening than talking, but that doesn’t mean we’re always up to listening to someone else. Ask about our passions and you shall receive.  

Cavan for Adobe - stock.adobe.com