The Introvert Journal

She never imagined that silence could be misunderstood so easily. For years she believed that hard work spoke for itself. She thought that if she delivered results, kept her word, met her deadlines, and supported her team, that would be enough. It felt honest. It felt natural. It felt like her. Then she stepped into the corporate world and discovered a lesson that did not match her nature. It was not enough to work. One had to be seen to work. One had to speak, show, present, explain, and sometimes perform. So she is learning the hard way. The spotlight still bothers her. Her voice rises a little too quickly in her own ears whenever she contributes in a meeting. Her hands feel warm when her name is mentioned. She prepares for team discussions the way other people prepare for marathons. She knows she must face the room, but she wishes she could simply focus on her tasks and slip out quietly at the end of the day. People sometimes assume she is confident because she gets things done...

So, you've got an interview. Great. Except, if you're an introvert, that little word probably just triggered a mild existential crisis. It's not that we're incapable, or even unwilling, to engage. It's just that interviews, in their very essence, are designed to ''torture'' the introverted soul. Why the dread? Let's break it down. First, there's the spotlight . Interviews demand constant, often intense, self-promotion. Extroverts thrive in this environment, their energy amplified by the presence of others. Introverts, conversely, find this sustained focus draining. We prefer the quiet hum of thoughtful conversation, not the theatrical performance of "selling ourselves." The mental energy required to maintain this performance is immense, leaving us feeling depleted. Then, there's the artificiality . Interviews are, by definition, unnatural. We're forced to condense our complex selves into soundbites, to present a polished, of...

  Career experts still stress the need for networking, visibility, and self-promotion. Some say, "Stop being an introvert," as if introversion is a defect that needs to be cured. But introversion isn't a choice; it's not something one can simply decide to stop being. Introversion is a personality trait like being analytical or creative. And telling an introvert to stop being one is absurd, about as sensible as telling someone to stop being tall. Rather than trying to turn introverts into extroverts, this should be more about how introverts can handle their careers the best way.  Many people will say that quiet and less aggressive introverts stand in their way. While exposure no doubt in ...

Have you ever been told, “You need to talk more” or “Smile more; people are scared of you” ? If you’re an introvert, you’ve likely encountered these comments at some point. While they may seem harmless to the speaker, they often feel like an attack to the person on the receiving end. But why? 1. Personality Isn’t a Choice Introversion isn’t something people wake up and decide to adopt. It’s a natural part of who they are—rooted in temperament, brain wiring, and personal experiences. Telling an introvert to be more outgoing is like telling a fish to climb a tree. It disregards their natural way of engaging with the world. 2. Unspoken Criticism Comments like “Talk more” or “Smile more” imply that something is wrong with how an introvert naturally behaves. This can feel like criticism rather than encouragement, making introverts feel misunderstood or unaccepted for who they are. 3. The Value of Authenticity True relationships are built on acceptance. People who genuinely know and appreci...