what is introversion and is it bad?

I seem to go through phases of extroversion and introversion.  In the extroversion phases I feel super sociable.  I blog my butt off, I'm all over the web commenting, I call friends and have a burning desire to express myself, to write, to communicate. I crave visual stimulation and conversations. When I am in an extroverted phase i am funny, or at least think i am which amounts to pretty much the same as far as i'm concerned.

During the introversion phases I want to stay home and be quiet.  I go cocooning.  I resent phone calls and changes to my routine.  Images leave me cold, (see, no images here) music and noise irritate me. My own family irritates me (okay, that happens during my extroverted phase too.) It's just that things feel louder, more rushed, more aggressive. So i disappear a little. I go into reading frenzies, one, two three books, often at once. I cook. I eat.  When I'm in an introverted phase, the best way to communicate with me is through Goodreads. 

During my introversion phases my sense of humor is nonexistent, as you may have noticed. 

...which is not to mean that i feel depressed, (though the concept of manic-depressive comes to mind-- but I'm getting older and maybe wiser thus less eager to scrutinize my behavior and try to define it in pathological terms.)  I use to feel an introverted phase come and panic.  Now I welcome it as a reflective time, and trust the process.

I'm in an introverted phase this week, did you guess? (though writing here today could mean you are witnessing the trail end of it.) I'm at my desk wearing faux uggs and baggy clothes, there is a pocket radiator blasting heat near my desk. The dog and the cat are hard at work napping at my feet. Cozy and solitary.  I like it. For now.

Comments

[Liberty Post Editor]

I go deep into these moody, solitary phases right before I have a creative breakthrough. Darkness before light. It has been like that my entire life. I relate. Hugs.LPXO

[Susan]

Manic-depression/bipolar disorder is not a "concept."

[mlle paradis]

I've always wanted to be either: a nun. Or: a cancan dancer. You not alone girl. The one feeds the other. Yes.

I know men who are like this too. Somehow women are made to feel self-conscious about it.

[Susan]

For some (probably I hit the wrong key) it didn't record the rest...

...that being said, no introversion is not a bad thing. Unless it keeps you from living your life in the way that you wish. Inhibits you in anyway that is detrimental to yourself or others (like family, close friends).

ciao-meow from Giulia, too. She's feeling introverted (unusual for her) & lounging in an OPEN windowsill. I had to do the all caps. I'm so happy I could type that.......

Seriously. You're probably just fermenting (in a good way), right?

[Kristin Gilbertson]

It's like you crawled in my brain and said what I was thinking, but far more eloquently.

[Angie Muresan]

I totally get you, Corine. And this is why you're so fascinating.

[corine]

Hello? Kristin? what is the way out of your brain ive been in there for days and I cant get out!!!

[andrea]

It's all about the creative personality. I posted a link on my blog. Check it out -- fascinating article! Artists and creative types usually exhibit both sides.

[clarity]

sounds like me lol but mostly introverted