Many introverts and people who just prefer the comforts of their home over a busy and stressful office environment would want to find stable employment in an industry that permits them to work home-based. But which industries exactly can you find work-from-home positions? Below are common professions and trades you can focus on.
A few years ago, I attended my high school reunion, where I reconnected with a number of long lost friends. It turned out that some of them had not only stayed in touch, but had formed a book club with some other friends they’d met after high school, which they invited me to join. I declined, partly because it didn’t fit into my life at the time, but mainly because it had no appeal to me. I’d never been to a book club, but I’d always imagined it to be something like English class, where they would take a perfectly good book and dissect it to death. One of my friends and I began meeting for lunch several times a year, and one topic that often popped up in conversation was the books we’d each been reading. Eventually I decided I’d like to go check out a book club meeting, and once I did, I quickly decided to join.
I’ve listed below the benefits I’ve received from my book club membership, and am guessing at least some of them will appeal to other introverts. Others are specific to my group and my life, but I’m sharing them too.
Intellectually:
I’ve been exposed to a much wider variety of books, and even genres, than I’d have ever chosen to read – or even heard of – myself. These are the titles we’ve read since I joined the group:
This in turn has helped me to realize the value of reading a really good book – one I can sink my teeth into and come away with new insight and not just be entertained. For example, the above reading list has broadened my knowledge about many topics that had never been on my radar, including the work of architect Frank Lloyd Wright and real live “practice babies” that were used to teach mother skills to young women in the mid-20th century. I’m no longer satisfied by novels with predictable plots and uninteresting characters, though I still enjoy the occasional diversion.
Socially:
It gets me out of the house. The combination of working from home, being an introvert, and being married to someone who is even less social than I am can be isolating. Even I need to connect with the outside world every once in a while!
We meet in one another’s homes, so there’s no loud background music or other gatherings that often make it challenging to have a proper conversation in a restaurant or other public setting.
There are only six members, which for me is the optimum group size. When my husband and I go out, we like to visit with one other couple, or two at most. Any more than that, and it’s no longer an intimate gathering, but the makings of a party.
By the way, not all our group members are introverts, but the nature of the group discussions allows everyone to participate in whatever way is comfortable for them.
Personally:
It gets me on the road. The members are fairly scattered geographically, so I have to drive anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes to get to a meeting. I’m not uncomfortable driving, but it’s not often that I leave my own city, and rare that I go to an unfamiliar place, so it’s good for my confidence to do it once in a while.
I get to cook for someone other than my husband and myself. We entertain even less often than we go out, so although I love to cook, I seldom get to make recipes that won’t work in small quantities or don’t fit into our lifestyle. This gives me a chance to do this.
Due to frequent moves since leaving home, until a few years ago the only people in my life were family members and those I’d met in my current place of residence. Being reconnected to childhood friends has given me an incredible feeling of completeness.
Have you ever belonged to a book group? I’d love to hear about it, including some of the books you’ve discussed.
Yesterday, as you know, we observed Earth Hour at 8:30pm. This is my introvert’s dream as far as demonstrations go. I mean that literally – I turn everything off, shut down my power bars, unplug the microwave, assure the dog that we’re fine and then daydream or think or plan for an hour or so. I didn’t have to go out in crowds. I didn’t have to wave a sign. I didn’t have to yell or chant. I didn’t have to roar approval of speeches.
And yet, I made a difference. As I looked out my apartment window, I could see lights flicking out all over the city. That’s the part I like best – immediate gratification – I can see that we’re actually accomplishing something.
But I got a surprise. My upstairs neighbours are not introverts. Their first choice is not gentle silence and dream weaving. Their first choice is inviting great crowds to celebrate Earth Hour with them. I got the impression it was their entire extended family – certainly those were children dancing, or maybe jumping on and off sofas.
The great event began early for them, at 7pm. They turned their sound system super-loud; my walls and floor were vibrating, not only with the bass but also with the lyrics, which is unusual. They laughed and caroused and be-bopped until 8:30pm – the Earth Hour. Then they turned everything off – and got out their own instruments. They sang and laughed and partied and jumped on and off sofas for an hour. At 9:30pm, they went back to carousing with electricity. Mercifully, at 10pm they turned everything off and went home (10pm is the cut-off point for noise in my building).
So I didn’t get to dream weave during Earth Hour. I pondered the different approaches of introverts and extraverts and wondered how we could enjoy each other.
I was really looking forward to watching this movie. What introvert wouldn’t be keen to see a movie that celebrates introversion?
My husband even said, “I didn’t think there were any perks to being a wallflower,” to which I replied, “You need to read The Introvert Advantage!”
Well anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. The characters and the story were interesting, the acting was good, and it was especially fun to see Emma Watson in a role so totally different from Hermione Grainger. But in terms of fulfilling what the title (and the description on IMDb) promised, I was frankly a little disappointed.
To me, Charlie (the main character) wasn’t an introvert – he was a young man with a mental illness – and that’s a stereotype we’re trying very hard to dispel, that introversion and mental illness are somehow interconnected.
Charlie’s self-esteem and mental well-being hinged very much on his interaction with other people. He needed and wanted to be popular. He didn’t crave alone time, or even seem to value it very much. Yes, he was quiet, but that in itself doesn’t define him as an introvert.
Yet, I suspect that many of us can relate to this line:
I know who you are, Sam. I know I’m quiet… and, and I should speak more. But if you knew the things that were in my head most of the time, you’d know what I really meant. How, how much we’re alike and, and how we’ve been through things…
Overall though, the movie was great, and it’s easy to see why it has won nine awards and been nominated for 22 others.
Have you seen it, or read the novel it was based on? I’d love to know what you thought of it.
In response to requests, here’s where you can get those “Don’t Want to Talk Buttons”
http://www.etsy.com/listing/117009082/the-headphones-mean-i-dont-want-to-talk
Have you already read The Introvert Advantage and Quiet? Are you looking for something new to read on the subject of introversion? You’ll probably enjoy this recent release by Beth L. Buelow.
Although not as meaty as the best-sellers mentioned above, Insight contains lots of worthwhile information, both for extraverts trying to gain a better understanding of the introverts in their life and for introverts who may be struggling to find their place in an extraverted world.
There’s an excellent explanation of the difference between shyness and introversion, as well as an in-depth look at the valuable role that introverts play in society and the business world. Speaking of business, there’s also an entire section devoted to entrepreneurs, which is not surprising, as the book is essentially a compilation of posts from Buelow’s popular blog, The Introverted Entrepreneur.
Because of its bloggy origins, the book is written in a conversational style, which makes it an easy read, especially since each chapter is essentially its own entity. I’d have liked it better had the author taken the time to edit the content thoroughly when converting it into a book, as certain parts just didn’t “feel” right to me. For example, it’s my opinion that “I titled this post…” should have been changed to say “I titled this chapter…” and that “since this is November” should have been changed to “since it was November when I wrote this” (if it was even necessary to keep that part in).
Despite my possibly petty complaints, I found it thought-provoking and well worth reading. It’s perfect to pick up and read a chapter when you have a few minutes between activities, and it’s short enough to read in one or two sittings if that’s your preference.
Have you read Insight: Reflections on the Gifts of Being an Introvert? What did you think of it?
In 2012 I completed my Honors thesis research on mindfulness, authenticity, well-being, and introversion. The study worked within self-determination theory, which sees authenticity and mindfulness as intrinsic to well-being. My research supported this for both introverts and extraverts, but there was also one facet that was particularly vital for introverts and authenticity. A very brief summary is presented here. But firstly, I must say a big thank you to all the participants who gave their time to complete the questionnaires for the study. The research would have been nothing without you!
I asked: “Does being mindful help introverts to act and feel more true to themselves?” Does this then lead to increased well-being? This query stemmed from a premise that introverts may feel more pressured than extroverts to act inauthentically. Many of us know that extraverted behavior is often more valued in our society. In other words, introverts may consciously or unconsciously feel pressure to “act like an extravert” in order to achieve well-being.
The results showed that authenticity was a mediating influence on the “mindfulness and well-being” pathway for both introverts and extraverts. In addition, it was found that the self-alienation facet (reversed) was the only unique mediator of the Authenticity facets for introverts. None of the three Authenticity facets was unique for extraverts. This facet included such questions as: I feel out of touch with the ‘real me’, and I feel as if I don’t know myself very well. This result suggests that, compared with extraverts, feeling in touch with one’s true self is particularly important for introverts.
These results provide alternative avenues of exploration to other studies (e.g., Fleeson, Malanos & Achille., 2002) that have focused on “acting like extraverts” to increase well-being for introverts. Hopefully future research will continue to elucidate the experiences and motivations of introverted individuals!
So how can mindfulness help introverts? My research suggests the importance of experiencing and acknowledging our total internal experience – physiological states, emotions, and thoughts. This acceptance of our internal experience, especially of negative internal experiences, is vital to honoring our authentic selves.
For more information, research, discussion, and resources, I would love for you to visit my blog. You can find me at mindfulness. authenticity. introversion.
Julie
Photo courtesy of Icrontic.com on flickr
Reference:
Fleeson, W., Malanos, A. B., & Achille, N. M. (2002). An intraindividual process approach to the relationship between extraversion and positive affect: Is acting extraverted as “good” as being extraverted? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 83, 1409-1422.
If you let introversion or shyness keep you from networking, you may miss out on some great business or career opportunities!
What is your favourite networking survival strategy?
Illustration courtesy of idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
The holidays loom on the horizon. Holidays are great but many are also party days. Too many parties in a row can be a challenge for an introvert.
Susan over at Quietly Fabulous has eight great ideas for party survival:
For more details and additional resources, read 8 Tips For Introverts To Survive The Holidays.
What do you do when you find your energy flagging at a party?
Have you found ways to leave a party briefly, to recharge and return?
owned a stack of these!