Dress: Free People Here, Here | Bag: Fendi, Similar | Flats: M. Gemi [c/o] | Lipstick: Neon Azalea | Watch: Michele | Bracelets: David Yurman | Hoop Earrlings: Similar
Photography by: Angie Garcia
This week I’ve been gearing up for the business of next week! We’ve got our Blogger Q&A event [you can get your tickets here!] and I’m headed to Dallas for a blog conference the rest of the week and weekend.
I’m trying to mentally prepare, but it’s always so trial and error for me! I have some girlfriends who can travel and work so well, but I feel out of place when doing both. I like my routine and crave structure, it’s what I thrive in. Being in a hotel with events and meetings all day causes me to feel a little lost-especially being an introvert! However, I’m really excited because I’m sharing a room with my girlfriend Ashley and she is one of my absolute favorite people. We are very like minded and it leads us to just sit and compliment each other for 4 hours straight haha! #thingsgirlsdo
So if I’m an introvert having to be out of my shell, I’m so thankful I’m going to be with someone who helps me recharge easily!
I’m really convinced it is because I was a first born and my sister and I are 7 years apart. My mom was so nurturing and kept me on an organized schedule, so I know how to function in it. But on the other hand, I have girlfriends who hate a schedule. They look at me like I’m crazy and just ask me to come organize them! haha.
But because I know it’s so easy to always want to be the other way [especially when I’m around my extroverted friends!] I thought it would be fun to share 5 reasons I’m thankful I’m an introvert. It’s a little silly, but this helps me get in the right frame of mind and allows me to appreciate my differences and admire another girl’s all at the same time.
1. It’s Been Easy to Work at Home
I’m honestly harder on myself working for myself than I ever was working for a boss. Paul actually got mad at me Monday because I got up and went straight to my computer. He was like, “No, get back in bed, I’m bringing you coffee. Read your devotionals, watch GMA, and relax! No one is at work right now.” But because I recharge being by myself it helps a lot working by myself. Mondays are my “admin” days and I feel so inspired for the rest of the week and have to be pulled away from my work. I crave that alone time and because I do it so often, it’s pretty natural to set a schedule for myself and stick to it.
2. It Helps me to be Content
This is not to say extroverts aren’t content, this is just related to my own personality and things I can fall prey to! My mom is an extrovert and is the most content person in the world [like my dad forced her to put our old house on the market because she didn’t understand why we literally couldn’t fit in it anymore]. But because I love to stay at home and reflect, I become really thankful for small details. I love fashion, interior design and aesthetics. However, I think if I, personally, was an extrovert and always out and about I’d maybe want it more? Introverts are easily triggered by their surroundings [which is why groups/parties/going out can be really overwhelming], so my constant surroundings keep me happy. But being this huge homebody that likes to be alone makes me really appreciate how redundant things can be. My poor husband has to beg me to go out on the weekends because I don’t see why I can’t just drink from the same coffee mug and watch the same shows every weekend of my life! bahaha!
3. I’m Loyal, But I Take Time
I take time to build relationships. Recruitment completely overwhelmed me as a college freshman. “Wait, I’m supposed to be your bff now? I really need to go home and take a nap first. I’m exhausted.” A girl in my pledge class, Alyssa, was a total extrovert and I really migrated to her. I was so in awe of how she was social and made 500 friends the first week of school. I spent so much of my first semester feeling lost and applying to other schools because I was still driving to see my high school friends on the weekend. I wasn’t ready to give those up and make new friends. However, I was able to take cues from Alyssa, make new friends [second semester was much better!] while fostering my high school friends. People laugh when I say I had 10 bridesmaids, but it’s because I’m still 100% loyal to my childhood friends. If they call me I will drop whatever, whenever and write a novel to whatever boy hurt them. I may take time to develop friendships, but if we are close friends you’re stuck with me for life! Besides, I don’t even go out much to make new friends so you really have no other option! 😉
4. I Find I’m More Assertive
Assertiveness might be a trait labeled to extroverts, but because I think a lot and recharge with me, myself and I, I am given a lot of time to make decisions. If I bring something up to someone it’s because that thought has been buzzing about in my head for weeks. I’ve thought of every response you’ll give me, acted it out in my head and I know how to express what I want. New options don’t excite me, so that loyalty trait comes out and I can make what I want clear.
Paul knows this is how I am. We’ve been talking about some career options for him with his company for months on end, it feels like a year! He kept nudging me to give him direction or my thoughts but I just affirmed what he said for weeks. Driving home from Oklahoma I looked at him randomly and said, “I agree. I think you should do option A. I think it’s best for you and for us.” He got so excited and practical yelled, “Thank you! I’ve been waiting for your response.”
I’m not wishy washy by any means. If I like something or dislike something, you know with absolutely certainty. I just rarely change course on my preferences and I may not say it immediately.
5. I’m a Dreamer
I’m constantly dreaming! I have all these little plans for our family that could go 50 different routes [if we live in XYZ, if we have 3 kids, if we have 1 kid, if we live on a farm, if I opened a store, etc.] and I feel so inspired thinking about them.
One of our favorite things to do is take Peaches on a walk. We’ll go for 2 or 3 hours and just sit and talk about a million different dreams and routes we could take with our life and by the time we get back home I feel so happy not even doing any of the plans. Talking ideas and inspiration out with Paul is something that recharges me when I feel down on myself or even my blog content. I’m thankful that I love to dream because it helps me stay focused towards end goals while enjoying the process of just thinking.
[P.S. Extroverts can be all of these things! I’m friends with more extroverts and they have these characteristics, I just wanted to share traits I know I have because I’m an introvert! 🙂 ]
So if you’re an extrovert, I totally envy you on some days! You have so many incredible traits that help you in situations that I completely fail. However, if you’re an introvert, girl we have amazing characteristics as well. And I think by highlighting what you are proud of, you can confidently survive situations that might be uncomfortable to what you gravitate towards. I’d love to know why you love being an introvert or extrovert! Supporting one another’s strengths is such an important part for growth, and I want this blog to be a place that helps foster that!
Love this post! I’m an introvert too, and I think it’s one of my greatest strengths. If you haven’t read the book Quiet, by Susan Cain you might like it. It’s one of my favorite books, and all about the quiet power of introverts. 🙂
I loved this post, Katey! I come for the outfits and stay to hear you talk 😛 I’m an introvert too, and I really identify with the first point in particular. I’m very hard on myself! I also crave alone time and I am so happy just spending a whole weekend working around the house and not seeing anybody. If I have something going on during the weekend, the week before I have to make sure I am not doing anything in the evenings so I can go into the events re-charged. I wish I could attend your event with Ashley and Haley! It sounds amazing and very helpful!
PS Love this dress. It is so perfect for summer!! I’m thinking concerts, BBQs, even work (because I teach summer classes), the swingy-ness would keep you cool in the heat!!
Emily
http://www.emilyseyeview.com
Love this post! I’m what I like to call a “hiding introvert”, meaning that I come off as an extrovert in social situations, and I do love being social! However it’s totally exhausting for me!! Being at home and enjoying my alone time is where I’m most comfortable. Love your insight on this – thanks for posting.
Libby
Stylin’ Iowan Blog
Me too, girl! I can come off social, but its just because I love people! haha. It doesn’t mean I am not having a really difficult time! Absolutely! Nothing like a night at home to recharge!
I’m an introvert as well and I agree – it has plenty of perks! Love hearing from another introvert who thinks the same way 🙂
xx Kathryn
http://www.chicandshimmer.com
Love this!! I have always considered myself an introvert as well, and often wish I was a little more extroverted. However as I get older I am coming to see that there are positives and negatives traits to both introverts and extroverts. What’s important is to be happy with yourself and stay true to whoever you are! Thanks for sharing!
This is great! I am a mega extrovert, and my sister (2 years younger and my absolute best friend) and my husband are both introverts. Although sometimes I’m like “hello I have zero clue why y’all are acting the way you are” I love how different they are from me, and how they help balance me out and vice versa! It really does take all kinds of kinds 🙂
Aw! Thank you!!! Love your point of view! My sister is an extrovert too! I’m always like, “HOW ARE YOU STILL HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS?! HOW!” bahaha! But everyone loves her and she helps me be more social! Thanks so much for following along!
I LOVED this post! I’m an introvert 95% of the time and the other 5% I’m an extrovert. If I’m around a lot of people for long periods of time, I need some me time to reground and recharge because it is SO exhausting. Thank you so much for your honesty and showing the positive sides of being an introvert.
I am such an introvert, too!! Which is why I also love working from home haha 🙂
BlondieInTheCity.com
I am 100% an extrovert and also, work from home AND IT DRIVES ME CRAZY!! haha. I love being an extrovert and as my husband always says – “you can work a room and talk to a brick wall at the same time.” I never miss a beat, but just like introverts it can be exhausting because a lot of times people expect you to be “on” all the time. My husband is a total introvert and it sometimes pains me to watch him have to be in social settings where I know he is hating his life. haha. (But he’s an extrovert at work. Weird?!)
Katey, this is such a cute post! I’m literally an ambivert – which means I’m BOTH. I’m 56% extroverted and 44% introverted! I can relate to all of these points AND to your friends who ask you to organize their lives! hahahaha weird, right?!
Also, I really love this dress! Maybe to pack for my honeymoon?!
http://www.veiledfree.com
THANK YOU for sharing this! I am about to graduate college and all of the things that come with that(internships, interviews, networking etc.) have made me painfully aware of how much of an introvert I am. I’ve been really hard on myself lately because I’ve been watching all of my extroverted friends breeze through these changes and I feel like I’m running a marathon. Being an introvert can make things a little more difficult at times, but i’m grateful that it leads me to spend extra time to reflect and pray so I don’t rush into decisions. When I read this post I felt like I was reading something that someone had written about me, all of these points are spot on!! Introverts really do possess a lot of wonderful qualities, thanks for the positive perspective! 🙂
I was so happy to come and see this post today! First of all i absolutely adore your blog and its the only one i read religiously! I appreciate that you post daily so thank you for that 🙂
Growing up i always felt different or odd because i wasn’t like my bubbly, energetic younger sister and i wondered why i didn’t get as excited as she did for social gatherings or parties. Now that i am 25 i am 100% confident in being an introvert. I LOVE my little home and i LOVE spending time with my small group of people or all alone (your own company is the best company)! I love that you own it and its made me more confident in owning it as well. Everyone is different and everyone needs to re-charge!
You and I are TWINS!! I always wondered, “Wait, why am I not excited for this party? Why do I dread a birthday party? I love people!” And it’s so hard because we can be social! I think people view introverts as quiet all the time and that’s not true! When I’m with my best friend or two people, I can talk nonstop! But put me in a group of 8 and I’m like, “WOAH. THIS IS EXHAUSTING!” haha.
My mom is an extrovert and I always envied it! I never knew why I couldn’t just make friends with the girl at the register in every store. But I think once you realize what you are and can own your qualities it makes it so much easier. I invite people over for wine. I make sure to have alone time after events so I don’t get to the point of tears. haha. And I try to serve others in the way I can be the best version of myself [cooking them a meal in MY house, alone haha and bringing it over, writing them cards, etc.]. I love knowing my readers and I have so much in common, thank you for that!
This is probably one of my favorite posts of yours! I’m such an introvert and was nodding my head along while reading because I’m exactly the same way! Especially when it comes to making decisions and knowing what I want, I always take what seems like a million years to really sort out every situation, but when I have an answer that’s my answer and I know exactly what I want. I’m also glad to hear that you had some struggle first semester freshman year because I was the same!! I applied to transfer, but eventually stayed because of the friends I had made. Thanks so much for this post!! Also I wish I was in Texas so I could come to the talk with you!!!
xo
Sami
http://www.theclassicbrunette.com
Love this post and learning more about you…so fun! Also, this dress is darling on you…I love the black with embroidery instead of white – it’s a nice change up to the norm!! I wish I could attend next week!! XO
@stylemelauren
http://www.stylemelauren.com
I am half introvert and half extrovert. I can easily communicate with people in large groups, but feel super uncomfortable not having a schedule and routine to follow. I am similar to you in the fact that one of my best friends is exactly my match and can help me wade through anxiousness and recharge me. I definitely identified with a lot of the things you listed out–especially my husband having to drag me out. Ha!
XO, Jaime | RegallySoled.com
YES. Love. this. post! Ok, so I always considered myself extroverted because I grew up performing. So being ‘on’ and in front of people never bothered me! But the older I get, I realize I’m a TOTAL hybrid, which from my own research, is apparently a real thing! I’m the baby of my family by 11 years so I totally have only child syndrome sometimes which is why I completely understand your upbringing and introverted tendencies! I have the same ones! I can be out at a party with people I don’t know and chit chat about just about anything, but it’s draining. And when I’m with the people I’m closest to, I can do the same and hang on for a bit longer… but if I don’t get some ‘me’ time the next day, I’m a mess! I absolutely work best by myself, but I need to structure time in my week with my girlfriends for social time or else I get weird! Love that you shared this… I think it’s so fun to know more about ourselves and share it with others!
xo,
abc
amybethcampbell.com
I love this post! As I was reading it I could see myself in everything you were saying! And totally laughed when you were talking about dreaming up a multitude of ideas. My boyfriend thinks it’s so nice how I can get so excited about future ideas and be so focused on them as well as the present.
Have a great rest of your week!
Belle
I love this post! It’s like you took the words out of my head. I am what I consider a social introvert. I’m so glad I’m not alone.
I regularly tell my friends that they’re stuck with me for life despite them being scattered around the world.
You go girl!
I’m so glad you wrote this! People always assume I’m an extrovert, but I’m super shy around new people and constantly need alone time to recharge. And recruitment….sheesh talk about one of the longest and toughest weeks of my life.
I hope that next week goes smoothly for you and you’re able to find little pockets to do your own thing!
I am so glad I read this post today! It’s always nice to feel like I’m not alone in my introvert ways and having to recharge with some me, myself, and I time!! I feel like you perfectly explained how it feels to be an introvert in a way that someone who isn’t could understand our thought process! Love your blog so much!!
Why am I tearing up reading this? This isn’t an emotional post! Maybe it’s because I finally feel like someone understands me. I’m SUCH an introvert, and sometimes I feel guilty for it. I love to stay home and blog or watch tv or read and just enjoy being by myself, and I think a lot of my friends who are extroverts don’t understand that. It was so refreshing and reassuring to know that other people are just like me!
Gosh I love ya, Katey, and this is the reason why 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this! I can identify with every point you made. I’m sure I’ll be referring back to this post quite a few times. I also am a first born with a sister 7 years younger than me and it always amazed me how completely opposite we are!
Keep up the amazing work girl! I always look forward to your posts and find inspiration in so many of them.
What a great post, I can relate to so many of these points! It definitely takes me longer to trust and build relationships, but I find that I get to know the person and the relationship is so much stronger because of that! I love being an introvert, although at times people don’t understand that we need time alone to recharge, but it’s great to feel so independent and to be able to rely on yourself! Also love your dress, Free People has such amazing clothing!
http://mylovelierdays.com
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Thank you so much for sharing this!! I’m an introvert, and I’ve really struggled with it! I definitely relate when it comes to making new relationships. My husband and I moved to a new city from where we grew up, and all of our friends moved back home after college. I had a really hard time meeting new people and investing in those relationships because I found so much comfort in my the consistency of my older friendships. Luckily, my husband is the extrovert and I can tag-team large group events with him, and I’ve been able to build relationships with people here! So glad to know you relate! Thank you for sharing the good things you see in being an introvert! It helps me keep a good perspective 🙂
Where is the share button?? Love this, Katey!
This is one of the most helpful posts I’ve read, people don’t talk about the advantages of being an introvert. So thank you for having such a variety of posts on this blog and making it so easy to maneuver. I’ve read your blog for a year now, you are the only person I follow on Instagram lol and in this past year your blog posts have become so much more organized and the topics are so relevant and helpful. I love how you combine fashion, beauty, and Jesus. But the best part is how you share your struggles and don’t try to hide behind a perfect social media account like so many other girls.
Your post helped me find this, and it is so helpful! Keep up the good work ?
http://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts?language=en