So I was browsing La Toobe and wandered across the dark side {Heavens to Betsy!} of being an introvert.

One thing to know about personality types: there’s definitely a favored type and a pathologized type (at least there is in the United States of America). Guess which one mine is?

Introverts like myself are routinely seen as defective and in need of correction, instead of what we actually are: people that simply get their energy from solitude and are drained in crowded social situations.

The Dark Side of Being An Introvert {8 minutes, 43 seconds}

1. Not a team player.
   I am a great team player, by the way. Furthermore, my active “team player” status depends heavily on the type of team I’m currently on.
2. Avoids confrontation (wants to leave relationship).
   Yeah, that’s kinda true sometimes. Some relationships deserve to be ended.
3. Overthinks things.
   That’s a bad thing? Okay …
4. Suppresses emotions & then explodes.
   Eh, more like “avoids unhealthy expressions of emotion and won’t be baited into unnecessary drama.”
5. Others think introverts are stuck up.
   That’s an other people problem.
6. Hard on oneself.
   With age and experience, this has reduced exponentially.
7. Lacks identity (as empaths absorb others’ emotions).
   Nope. I have a very strong identity, thank you very much. Again, it’s considered flawed and in need of fixing by society (another “other people” problem).
8. Has hard time asking for help.
   I’ve pretty much been socially responsible for myself ever since I was a child, so I rarely need help from others. But I can ask for help in the rare instances I actually need it.

Not one to assume things, I checked to see if the socially favored and promoted personality type was also not always seen as positive. Success! I found a video. However, notice the reduced time devoted to it. Telling also that the last two items seem like humble brags.

7 Dark Sides of Extroverts {2 minutes, 24 seconds}

1. Hard sometimes with opposite personalities.
   This is damn sure the case, in my experience.
2. Are bossy/pushy.
   Yep, often and repeatedly, again, from my experience. Might have something more to do with clueless privilege than otherwise.
3. Can get addicted.
   I guess? I’m pretty sure there are plenty of addicted introverts. You probably wouldn’t notice them much, however, until it’s really bad.
4. Can’t control their emotions.
   More like doesn’t see the need to control their emotions because they get their energy from social situations and are drained by solitude. Oh, and it’s also society’s favored personality, so, yeah. I guess many extroverts figure there’s no need to control them because they think that’s just fine and dandy.
5. Can’t stay alone.
   The pandemic must have done a number on them. I don’t envy them that.
6. Take risks.
   Introverts take risks, too! Others just don’t notice us that much when we do.
7. Sometimes act impulsively.
   I guess that’s true. No big deal.

I searched for any potential perjoratives for ambiverts and couldn’t find any. Might this become the new pet personality type for Americans? I hope not. We don’t need more unrealistic assumptions about how people are supposed to be. All we need is more simple recognition of what people already are.

6 Signs You’re an AMBIVERT (Not an Introvert or Extravert) {36 seconds}

{Are you comfortable in social situations, but also value alone time? You might be an ambivert.}

1. Comfortable in both large groups and uniquely with one friend.
2. Has good sense of when to speak up and when to listen.
3. Can be both talkative and reserved depending on the situation.
4. Has mix of introverted and extroverted friends.
5. Has good balance of energy, not feeling too drained or overexcited in social situations.
6. Able to read social cues and adjust behavior accordingly.

I can’t even begin to imagine what forms the “dark” sides of ambiversion would take, but I imagine they might coalesce along not being perceived as definitive rather than being admired for plasticity.