How to be an extroverted introvert

 I set three goals for myself for this Uzbek gig:

  • try a lot of new food
  • meet lots of great people
  • break out of my introverted tendencies
I don't think extrovert/introvert is a binary.  I feel it's more of a spectrum.  I can totally be extroverted: in front of my class, presenting at a conference, professional stuff like that. 

Socially though is a different matter.  It takes some effort and awareness to get my extroverted side to shine through in social situations.  But I have to make an effort, and sometimes I'm not able to make that effort, and other people interpret that as aloofness.  Sometimes I just want to be inside my own head where it's warm and comfy rather than out with other people.  

I decided that on this Uzbek gig I was going to really work at getting out of my warm comfy head and go out and be social.  I vowed to actually go out to dinner with my team (there are five of us teachers from the US as well as Jesse the boots-on-the-ground guy) rather than sitting in the hotel, make friends, engage, have lunch with everyone (even though I really needed lunchtime to decompress), have tea time with students, etc.  

In other words, be social.  

And guess what?  I didn't die.  

And I did learn to set boundaries, which really helped.  "Hey, you know, I'm kinda tired and not up for karaoke until 2:00 am, so I'll just hop a cab back to the hotel." 

It's still a struggle, but becoming a little easier every day.  

I say this as I sit in my quiet hotel room after begging off dinner with the team because I was tired.



Comments

  1. JuliaAugust 10, 2021 at 9:12 AM

    I struggle with the same challenges! It is empowering to set boundaries (and not feel guilty about it).

    ReplyDelete

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