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Achieving Balance As An Introvert

Achieving Balance As An Introvert

Posted on: Wednesday 17 January 2018


Oh hey, hi, yes it's me writing yet another post about being an introvert/quiet/shy.

Introversion seems to be a common trait among bloggers, maybe because we all prefer to write things down somewhere someone might read them rather than actually having to directly speak to someone. Seriously though, why is it so much easier to write than speak? But anyway, what I wanted to talk about is achieving balance as an introvert and how I do that. Quite often I'll feel torn between wanting to push myself out of my comfort zone and just doing what I know I'll enjoy. Obviously if we all stuck to the things we knew we were going to enjoy (like erm, staying in bed and reading a book) we'd never find other things we like or meet new people who could become good friends. At the same time, it's also OK to do what you want sometimes, if we were forever pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone it would be exhausting so a balance of the two is ideally what we want.




So how do I achieve balance personally?

T R U S T I N G  M Y  G U T  |  Generally, I know what I'll like even if I don't want to do it. I'm not sure if that makes sense so here's an example. Maybe I've been invited on a night out. There'll be a big group of people, some of whom I won't know all that well and it'll end in a club. I know straight away that the reason I'm turning that down isn't because I'm an introvert, it's because it's something I won't enjoy. But here's a different scenario. I've been invited to a blog event. Nobody I know is going and I know I'll feel horrendously nervous and probably overthink everything I'm doing/saying and generally feel like an idiot. BUT, I will meet like-minded people, some of whom I'll hopefully become friends with and it could benefit me both personally and professionally. My gut will tell me no to the first scenario, but yes to the second so I've learnt to trust it.

G E T T I N G  T O  K N O W  M Y S E L F  |  It's taken me a while to know straight away what I will and won't enjoy. Basically, there's a lot of trial and error involved. I went on a fair few nights out that I didn't enjoy before I realised that it wasn't just me being shy, it was me not liking nights out. On the other hand it's also taken a lot of pushing myself out of my comfort zone to work out what pays off and what doesn't.

L I K E- M I N D E D  P E O P L E  |  I'm not saying introverts should only hang out with introverts, but rather that I like being with people who get it. I'm not very good at getting involved with conversations in big groups of people so I like being with people who will make an effort to involve me. I also take a while to warm up (I mean metaphorically although I do also have super bad circulation, not sure why I felt the need to tell you that) so I need people to give me a chance rather than writing me off as boring straight away. I can't put my finger on what it is that makes me feel at ease with certain people and not with others, but finding 'your people' will help in so many situations.




I think the biggest thing I've learnt from trying to find balance is that it's OK if I just don't feel like it. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is great, but push yourself too far and it doesn't pay off at all. At the moment I think I've found a pretty happy balance though.

Boots - Missguided | Jeans - Topshop  | Blouse - H&M (old) | Bag - Fiorelli (old)

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

Amy x

Photos: Ashton Gibbs






Comments

  1. I think you've achieved a good balance. If you're happy, then everything is fine.

    x Mariya
    www.brunetteondemand.com

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    1. Exactly! I think I have a pretty good balance at the moment xx

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  2. Loved this post Amy and can totally relate. Sometimes it feels hard to push yourself but you always feel better after xx

    www.natalieleanne.com

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    1. Definitely! It's learning what to push yourself for that's the hard part xx

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  3. Great post and pictures! I particularly agree with trusting your gut!
    Have a lovely day :)
    Rosanna x
    Rose's Rooftop

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    1. Thanks Rosanna, yeah my gut is usually right! xx

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  4. Such a great post! Have a lovely day.

    Gemma x
    www.jacquardflower.uk

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    1. Thanks so much Gemma, hope you're having a lovely week xx

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  5. I really like this post, Amy. Once again, you've put across your message veeeery eloquently! My favourite point is how you talk about getting to know yourself and a lot of trial and error being involved. I also kept on going on 'nights out' assuming my dislike was just me being reserved. Nope! Turns out I also just really, really didn't enjoy them in large groups , haha. Hope you have a lovely weekend!

    aglassofice.com
    x

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    1. Thanks so much Gabrielle! At least we both tried and now know we don't like them! xx

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  6. Loved this Amy - I'm probably an 'Ambivert' of sorts, but the introverted part of me could certainly relate! The thing about trusting your gut and differentiating between things you want to do but are a bit scared of and things you just dont want to do is so important. Its exactly how I feel about blog events too...really nervous, but I know I want to go so it's worth it to push myself to do the thing thats making me nervous. Gorgeous photos too, good job you and Ashton! xxx

    Sophie | Sophar So Good

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    1. Thank you lovely! Now that I know how to differentiate between those things I'm sooo much happier! xx

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  7. Being introverted is difficult. I like how you've managed to find balance, or know how to get to balance. When I was younger, I always thought this would pass when I was an adult. I'm still 31 and hoping to find my confidence!

    Corinne x
    www.skinnedcartree.com

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    1. I was waiting for ages to get more confident but just had to learn to live with it instead! xx

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  8. Great post, it really is all about finding the balance! Like you said, sometimes it's good to step out of your comfort zone but not if it's for the sake of something you wouldn't enjoy - when I was younger I really tried to get into clubbing but now I've accepted that it's just not for me and that it doesn't make me happy. I think I'm rather an introvert than an extrovert but I'm probably somewhere between these two ends. xx

    113thingstosay.com

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    1. Yes I'm all for accepting that certain things just aren't my cup of tea! Halfway betwee is an ambivert I believe :) xx

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  9. I can so relate to this! I feel like people act as if being introverted is something you have to fix and act as if you just force yourself to go out more then you'll be a whole new person. Over the years, with college especially, I've learned to decipher between something that I just won't like and things that make me nervous. I now just go for the things that make me nervous and they've definitely paid off.

    Shann Eileen | www.shanneileen.com

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    1. It definitely doesn't need fixing, it's just good to find that balance, glad you've found one! xx

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