I am an outgoing person. I can talk to anyone, and I enjoy people.  Most people would probably assume I’m an extrovert.

But I’m not.

I recharge my batteries by being alone.  I like to think about things before I do them.  And I need quietness and peace in my life.

I always thought I was an extrovert until I had a job where I was alone most of the time.  That made me realize that I do enjoy being by myself, and having the time to just think, without any interruptions.  Before that, every job I ever had was basically in customer service, working with the public and dealing with people all day.  My job now is back to the same; people, conversation, and enjoying visiting with my customers, friends, employees, and sometimes even complete strangers.  And I like it. No, I love it.

But I also need time to be alone, to think, to contemplate life and the world and the universe.  I feel complete when I am recharged.  I feel rested.  I feel like there is less chaos and craziness in the world when I can detach from others and look inside myself.  I also feel that I’m a much better person by taking the time to make myself feel this way.  I have more patience, and I have more empathy for others.

I don’t think I’m a true introvert either though.  I like people.  I like talking to people and learning about their lives.  I like hearing their stories, especially older people’s stories of “the good old days”.  I could never be a hermit in a cave, never talking to anyone.  I do need socialization in my life, just not all the time.

I have friends who recharge by being with other people, and they are the true extroverts.  They love social events and parties and being in a crowd.  I like being in my living room, with a good book; the dogs snoring on the couch and a cat curled up on my lap.  I love spending time with my husband, and my children.

Maybe you aren’t sure which group you belong in either.  But you can just be happy being the “you” that you truly are and not worry about all the other fluff that goes with trying to categorize people into one of two groups.  Maybe we’re all a little bit of both; introverts and extroverts.  Please tell me what you think in the comments section!