Brooklyn Fit Chick Vlog Episode 62
Featuring: The Battle between Introverts & Extroverts
Plus: The Brooklyn Fit Chick Mophie “Juice Pack Plus” Giveaway (Not Sponosred!)
You can win a Mophie Juice Pack from this introvert!
Hey there! Hi there! Ho there!
Its Thanksgiving week and I am feeling more than a little ready to get some rest and not work so much. How about all of you? So in that lazy spirit I want to touch off on a topic that has been completely haunting me lately and would love to get your feedback on it.
Plus—I accidently bought the wrong version of a Mophie Juice Pack (http://www.mophie.com/search?q=juice+pack&gclid=CP6ijYbe-7oCFbFxOgodqgwAFA) that fits an iPhone 5 and will be giving one away this week rather than returning it because I love you all so much. You’re welcome!
But before I get to the giveaway—let’s discuss the difference between introverts and extroverts.
As long as I can recall I have felt like an introvert, not shy or afraid to meet people, but rather someone who is just as happy alone as I am within a group of freinds. The problem is that for most of life people have described me as “outgoing,’ “energetic” and (my least favorite word in the word) “perky.” (If you want to get on my bad side–try using that word in front of me! Grr!) So I can come across as outgoing and always the life of the party when that is not me at all.
It’s true that I can meet people rather easily and am a bit of a ham when I am the center of attention. Teaching fulfills that need for people to notice me and listen to what I have to say.
However—I am not made of an everlasting energy source. At some point with every good time in my life (great parties, fun classes, a concert I waited months to attend, incredible vacations, etc.) there is a moment where my mind says “okay, that’ll do” and I need to leave. Like I REALLY, REALLY NEED TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE AND RETREAT.
It feels imperative and I can’t ignore my inner voice when it happens. My brain starts to shut down and my vision weakens. My back, feet and head start to hurt and I can’t focus on anything relevant in front of me. I will yawn in the middle of a friend telling me an intense story or will just start playing with my iPhone on the couch rather than seek out one more conversation.
Sure there have been some occasions that staying longer and riding it out to talk to one more person at the holiday party or stay for just one more song at the all-day music festival have brought me incredible joy.
But more often than not when I force myself past my internal energy gauge it just wears me out. The light goes out in my head and I am running on fumes. My patience wears thin and I begin to resent people for not leaving me alone.
Why am I like this? Who the hell knows? I moved every few years growing up and was constantly meeting new people and having to navigate the social rules in each new school I attended. It was very hard at times and I was angry about it for years but I now honestly think it taught me to become more outgoing.
To overcome my introverted nature and learn how to reach out to others for companionship.
I can make new acquaintances feel like my oldest friend in the world in just a few minutes and can be “on” very quickly (and brightly) when I have to. Not everyone can do that. And I am not lying or being deceptive when I turn on the charm. If I say “I like you” understand that I really DO like you. (I would rather sit by myself than waste time on a jerk.)
Five years ago I began my life as a group fitness instructor and can say honestly that I am rarely nervous before getting up in front of a group of students. Even when I am subbing—there is no fear of failure. When people tell me they are too shy to teach I have NO idea what they are talking about. What’s there to be afraid of? Most folks are easy to entertain.
Anyhoo—several months ago I attended the annual Fitbloggin conference and had a chance to chit chat with Carla B. who is the creator of www.mizfitonline.com and is a big inspiration for me. Carla wrote a really amazing post about her reputation as a “ninja” who just disappears and reappears from the conference. Check it out here: I’ve Declared Introvert Status.
As soon as I read this my first thought was “wow—that’s me, exactly!”
Then—a few months later my Fitbloggin roomie Christine A. aka Dubya Wife; aka sister from another mister posted on her Facebook page how she identified herself as an extrovert and wished people would understand her point of view better. I can’t find the exact link she used on her Blog but here is a pretty great post from BuzzFeed: 25 Frustrating Things About Being An Extrovert. It has really rocked my world and opened my eyes to another way of living.
It never occurred to me that people who need to be around others all of the time can feel pain when rejected. I assumed extroverts just have nonstop energy and could care less about whether or not they are “draining” to other people. I now know that extroverts aren’t just “need machines” but people who are honestly energized (seemingly non-stop) from the company of others. I want to take this moment to apologize to all of my extroverted friends & family for not understanding you better.
You weren’t trying to micromanage or judge me—you just wanted me to hang out a little longer. To spend more time chatting on the phone about nonsense or dance to one more goofy song at the party and I promise to try to do both more often.
I am leaving you with this fantastic article from Psychology Today online: The Introverts Corner. If you have a minute feel free to leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts on the great Introverts vs. Extroverts debate.
Now on to this week’s Vlog & My Groovy Giveaway!!
So let’s say you have an iPhone 5 and want your battery to last longer—stay tuned for my completely unsponsored, I am paying for this rad giveaway.
In order to win my Mophie (Continental U.S. only!) you must do the following:
- Post a comment below (on this particular blog post).
- Tweet out your interest by saying “I am an INTROVERT (or EXTROVERT) and I want to win a Mophie from @BrooklynFitChik”
- Subscribe to my You Tube here (let me know if you are already subscribed!) http://www.youtube.com/user/BrooklynFitChick1
I will randomly pick one winner next Monday, December 2nd at NOON eastern time and contact them directly. Good luck and enter as often as you like.
Until next time…
Ox Ox,
BFC
Brooklyn Fit Chick
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