World Introvert Day: Here's Why Being An Introvert Comes As A Blessing

On January 2, we celebrate World Introvert Day. It's a special day for people who like their alone time. After all the busy holidays, it gives introverts a chance to relax and do things their own way. This day was created by Felicitas Heyne, a psychologist from Germany, who thought introverts needed a peaceful day after all the non-stop celebrations from Thanksgiving to New Year's. It's a time for them to rest up and get ready for what's next.

Who should celebrate World Introvert Day? Well, it's a day for those who love their alone time and find joy in quiet moments. And here's why being an introvert is seen as a blessing.

If sitting at home, engrossed in a book takes precedence over talking to people, you're not shy. If your me-time is more important than going to a party, there's nothing to be sad about. Having friends and still befriending oneself is what an introvert does. Honestly, this introversion comes as a blessing. When reading the Dan Brown book is what you call the perfect Friday night plan or doing a Friends marathon is your idea of the weekend chill, you are an introvert.

There are four types of introversion. Social introversion concerns with interaction in small groups or no groups at all. Solitude is often preferable for those who score high in social introversion. Thinking introversion characterises with introspection and self-reflection. In this type, people are not generally averted to parties and gatherings. Anxious introverts prefer being alone as they feel awkward and self-conscious in others' company. Reserved introverts operate at a slow pace. They need time to get going or start a day, for example. Following are the benefits introverts enjoy:

Self-growth

Spending time with ourselves ensures that we know our strengths and weaknesses. Better self-analysis can easily be made. Knowing oneself assists in correcting the negatives and building the positives. This further helps in the growth and development of an individual.

Introverts have a limited number of friends but those relations are truly admirable and in many cases, even life-long.

Great listening ability

Since introverts tend to stay quiet, they are generally deemed as better listeners. Instead of focussing on what to speak, they concentrate on what others are speaking. While conversing, they prefer taking in information rather than divulging it. Introverts are in most cases more trustworthy since they understand how difficult it is to confide in someone. They are secret-keepers.

Observation skills

Introversion is predominantly featured with great observation skills. By staying silent, introverts make their eyes coordinate properly with their brains. They perceive things differently since their minds are free from any kind of chaos. More than speaking out or conversing, introverts observe people, their mannerisms, nature and everything under the sun.

Make truly pure connections

It has been rightly said that if you can't connect with yourself, you can't make good connections with those around you. As said above, they are trustworthy which results in deep and pure connections. They have a limited number of friends but those relations are truly admirable and in many cases, even life-long.

Introspection

It refers to examining one's conscious thoughts and feelings. This is a major help when it comes to stop running in the rat race and making oneself feel calm. Meditation is also a process associated with introspection. In the long run, it helps in keeping away from serious mental illnesses like depression. Thus, it helps to provide a host for a body free from mental and physical illnesses.

Going to a cafe alone or to watch a movie without any friends isn't a taboo, as society considers it to be. It is empowering and a way to fall in love with your own company!

The prominent poet Pablo Neruda in his poem, Keeping Quiet advocates the significance of silence and self-introspection. Not only does it transform individual life, but it also improves the face of the Earth cutting down on social evils like terrorism and intolerance. Introverts are often assumed to be shy or even arrogant owing to their least interest in social interaction. 

In the fast-moving world where people are too busy to build social relations and constantly juggle their personal and work life, they forget to interact with their selves. However, introverts can always be the best teachers for introspection. Going to a cafe alone or to watch a movie without any friends isn't a taboo, as society considers it to be. It is empowering and a way to fall in love with your own company!

Views expressed by the author are their own