“Introverts tend to feel that they most alive and that they’re most energized when they’re in environments that are less stimulating.” ~ Susan Cain
Are you an introvert who happens to be a writer (or a writer who happens to be an introvert)? If so, learning to understand and manage your sources of energy could be a game-changer.
Understanding Introversion
Susan Cain, author of the bestselling book Quiet, has helped introverts and extroverts alike to understand that being introverted isn’t about shyness; it’s about energy (if you haven’t already, be sure to watch her TED Talk “The Power of Introverts“):
“You know I think one of the best ways to understand it is to really get it, What actually is the difference between introverts and extroverts? It really has to do with how we respond to stimulation. Introverts tend to feel that they most alive and that they’re most energized when they’re in environments that are less stimulating, when there’s sort of less stuff coming at them. Where as extroverts really crave lots of stimulation coming at them to feel that they’re most alive. And if they don’t get it, they start to feel kind of bored and listless, and not generally happy.” ~ Susan Cain ( interview at TTBOOK)
Neither introversion nor extroversion is better, but the two ways of reacting to the world are definitely different from each other (also keep in mind that some people are ambiverts). An introverted writer may expend all of her energy for the day interacting with people, having little left to focus on her own writing.
Why Your Source of Energy Matters
This is one reason I try to write in the morning rather than saving it for later. If I write in the morning, I do so when my energy levels are high. If I wait until the evening, especially if I’ve spent the afternoon in social situations (including teaching), I am often too mentally wiped to think or write a single coherent thought, even if what I did that day wasn’t physically taxing and even if I loved being with the people I saw.
Social media, in particular, can be tricky for introverts. On the one hand, social media (in theory) offers introverts more control over when, how long, and with whom they interact online. On the other hand, even virtual interaction is stimulating, often deceptively so, leaving us drained yet unable to pull away. See my guest post on this topic at Ollin Morales’s blog. (Note: Ollin has since moved his blog to a new home. You can follow his new posts at Courage2Create.)
Tomorrow we will look at the challenges unique to extroverts.
What is your experience (as an introvert or not) with managing your energy, especially with regard to social media?
Yes! As an introvert, there is only so much input I can process. I find that writing is an outlet for that input. It helps me give it a pass-through. Like the SENG convention I attended that, while small, was overwhelming. Writing made it easier to deal with (http://braver-than-you-believe.blogspot.com/2014/07/seng-conference-2014-introverts-empaths.html).
I also wonder if empaths end up being introverts for a reason. Feelings can be overwhelming…too much input. Again, writing is an outlet for me (http://braver-than-you-believe.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-empaths.html). It doesn’t always make it that much easier to deal with, but it does help provide distance enough to process.
I turn to writing as a way to deal with being an introvert and empath.
(Sorry, not trying to plug my blog, but the posts say what I mean clearly…)
I love your posts on writing and the writing life! Today’s post on introverted/extroverted energies is so worth understanding about one’s self. My husband, daughter and I had many fun conversations about Susan Cain’s book. I ended up writing a short post about our reactions http://twointhemiddle.com/2013/05/23/the-power-and-pleasure-of-introverts/
Thanks very much, Deborah and Pamela, for sharing the links. Deborah, what you write about empaths and introverts makes a lot of sense,. Pamela, I really enjoyed your reflections on “Quiet.”