The Introverted Owls

With all this talk about isolation and social distancing in light of the Coronavirus pandemic, it was naturally assumed by the entire world, introverts included, that it's the year of the introverts. Endless memes swarmed social media about how an introvert's normal lifestyle has become the new cool. We introverts are guilty of sharing a few too!  It is sufficient for a good laugh in a time of uncertainty. However, as reality set in, it would seem that things are not as rainbows and butterflies for introverts as everyone expected. There is no doubt quarantine is hell for extroverts who thrive on socializing, but you would be surprised how difficult it can be for introverts as well. Check out these 4 misconceptions about introverts in quarantine: 1. Introverts Are Living the Time of Their Lives No, we are definitely not having a blast and living our dream life during this crisis. In fact, it's safe to assume that no one is. The advantage introverts have in such times ...

Have you always been more drawn to a rainy day than most people? Do you feel a hint of joy the minute you see those tiny drops fall from the sky?  Did you know that feeling this way about rain is highly associated with being an introvert? It's true! Introverts are more drawn to the beauty of a rainy day with all its possibilities to cozy up in their favorite blankets with a hot cup of cocoa, nose deep into a good book. Sounds good to me! There's actually a term for people who love everything about rain, and that's pluviophiles . If you're wondering why most introverts are classified into that very special group, here are 5 reasons why introverts love rain: 1. Rain Brings a Sense of Peace While some people may get out of the rain as soon as they can to avoid that dreaded feeling of being wet, introverts can stand for hours under the rain looking up at the sky because it's peaceful.  2. The Rain's White Noise Is Therapeutic Introverts enjoy t...

When we're young, most of us fall into the trap of choosing a university major and consequently a career based on what is expected of us. We feel an obligation to fulfill what our parents, for example, think we should be doing with our lives or choose a career that is seen as more prestigious by those around us than what we really want to do. Sometimes, the issue is deeper than that. It's the fact that we don't know ourselves enough at that early yet critical stage of our lives to grasp what works for us and our personalities . The reality is we spend more time at work than anywhere else. It's important to be happy and satisfied with the path we've chosen.  Consider yourself lucky if you figured out your personality type before settling on a career. But don't get too caught up on the timing, you can always follow your passion no matter what stage you're at. You just have to be brave enough to learn and start. Personally, I read up on introverts wa...

There are great Benefits to Knowing Your Personality Type . It opens doors for you that you didn't know you needed open, which signifies the beauty of self-awareness. You've probably wondered and tried to figure out at some point whether you're an introvert or an extrovert . This simple Breakdown of the Myers-Briggs Type Instrument (MBTI) shows that there are 8 Introverted Personalities and 8 Extroverted Personalities .  Usually, you'll find yourself leaning more towards one or the other. But what if it's not that easy?  You should know that none of us are 100% extroverts or 100% introverts. We all fall on a long spectrum. Even the most introverted people have their extroverted moments, and vice versa. The greatest misconception about introverts is that they're shy when in reality we just like to process things more in our heads before we speak, and we hate small talk! We look for deep and meaningful conversations. If you find yourself having s...

The idea of solo travel can be quite daunting to us introverts . Talking to strangers and meeting new people in unfamiliar territory are the basis of solo travel, so there are a lot of reasons to scare introverts away.  Anything outside of our comfort zone is intimidating at first, but once we pluck up the courage to step outside our bubble, there's no going back.   Here are 4 reasons why every introvert should try solo traveling : 1- It Helps You Get Out of Your Head We introverts tend to enjoy living in our heads. Our thoughts are our sanctuary. Our inner world is perfect for us. That means that if we are given the choice between staying in or being out there experiencing the world , we'll be happy with the former. There's nothing wrong with that, but a balance is needed. Traveling gives you the opportunity to step outside your head for a while and take in new experiences that force your thoughts in different directions. You get to do that on your own terms when you...

There's no denying that we live in an  extroverted world .  Being parents of an introverted child  can be tough if you don't understand what your child needs. Kids don't understand themselves (most adults too!). Your kid needs you for guidance, so you have to go the extra mile to find out their  personality type  and act accordingly. Most  extroverted parents of introverts  who don't  get  why their kids act a certain way end up pushing them to be more social or slam them with more activities than they can take, which means no alone time or simply time to recharge. Some even keep sending a message to the child that the way they feel about social situations or being comfortable with only one/two friends is never enough, that something always needs to be changed to act more normal. This affects their self-confidence as they grow up. You need to be aware not to fall into these traps. If you notice that your kid is  introverted ...

Writing  has always been an escape for me. When I was in school, I would always find myself looking forward to the time I had to write anything and everything in my journal. I loved writing about my day and what happened in it in shocking details. I loved creating these huge calendars that had everything I wanted to do. I used to enjoy writing the lyrics of my favorite songs too. Looking back, I think I loved the feeling of having the complexity of my thoughts visible in front of me on paper, without really knowing that at the time. In the midst of all the adventures, surprises, life lessons, and mishaps that occur growing up , writing helped me tune out and live in my bubble for a while.  Being an introvert  means you enjoy time spent alone with nothing but your own thoughts for company, and writing goes hand in hand with solitude.  While it's not a rule that you have to be an  introvert to enjoy writing  and be good at it, it's something that ...

What is leadership ? It would probably mean different things to different people. Today, society made us believe that extroversion is a must-have trait in order to be a successful leader in the workplace. Extroverted personalities exude charisma, confidence, and enthusiasm loudly for everyone to notice. They do it effortlessly too because their energy is gained through social interactions. The world would like to make us believe that just because introverts don't noticeably have these specific traits, their leadership style  would be ineffective. Back in 2006, a survey found that 65% of senior executives saw introversion as a "barrier to leadership." Successful leaders  are able to motivate and inspire their team. Their main goal is to forge ways for their followers to move forward. They are able to make significant decisions for the entire team when it's needed. Somewhere along the line, it became common knowledge that introverted personalities wouldn't ...