Let’s Chat: Are you an extrovert?

By Linda Tooth on January 2, 2025.

I am sitting here wondering what I can possibly write about that people would find interesting when the idea came to me, the difference between extraverted and introverted as it pertains to people.

If you saw my column last week, I mentioned that I was going to try to be introverted in 2025, as I find the world of extraverted exhausting.

So, lets define extraverted or extroverted.

Both are an acceptable way to spell it. Oxford Languages defines it as, “outgoing and socially confident”.

They give the example “She is extroverted, confident and gives rousing lectures”.

Oh great, I am back in the classroom a little bit more for the Winter 2025 semester at Medicine Hat College and I am going to have to give rousing lectures. Okay, so I will be extroverted Monday – Thursday.

When you are teaching the importance of communications to first-year health and business students you must be outgoing and socially confident. All you have to do is look around to know we have lost the ability to write and speak well.

I made it my mission a while ago to be the spokesperson for good communication skills. Okay, four days of being an extrovert. What about the other three days?

Let’s define what it means to be an introvert.

Oxford Languages defines an introverted person as, “a person who is more interested in their own thoughts and feelings than in spending time with others”.

These people are shy and quiet. I can spot them on the first day of my classes. Eye contact is something they try to avoid, and they typically do not like it when I call on them in class. I do like the idea of quiet and my own thoughts.

This might work on a part-time basis Friday through Sunday. So, I will be an introvert for those three days.

You may be wondering if you can be a mix of both? The answer is yes, and you would be called an ambivert. Also known as social introverts, an ambivert exhibits qualities of the extroverted and introverted person.

A recent article written by Forbes’ Travis Bradberry states that ambiverts ,”have a much easier time adjusting their approach to people based on the situation”.

He also goes on to suggest that ambiverts like to be the centre of attention for a short period of time and small talk for ambiverts is okay, but it can get boring after a while. I am not sure that describes me.

A lot of research has been done on the world of the ambivert. I am going to have to do some reading on this to see if I fit into this world. Carl Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist, is quoted as saying, “There is no such thing as a pure introvert or extrovert. Such a person would be in the lunatic asylum”.

It looks like I have a plan moving forward. I will be an extrovert Monday through Thursday and introvert myself Friday through Sunday.

I wish everyone the best for 2025. Thank you for reading my column. I so enjoy writing it and love when people comment on it.

Have a Meowtastic Day and Keep Reading!

Linda Tooth is a part-time communications instructor at Medicine Hat College

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