Here’s how most introverts view the phone: It’s an interruption that drains energy and requires losing internal focus, which you have to gain again; it requires expending energy for the “on-the-feet thinking.” Introverts can have so many dips of energy during the day that they are not able to expend energy at the drop of a hat.
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Studies have shown that introverts often have trouble multitasking in social situations. This means that they are so focused on regulating their antsy feeling and expending energy interacting with others that they do not realize how other people react to them. For example, introverts often don’t pick up on the fact that other people like them, and so the relating doesn’t seem as enjoyable. In other words, they may not notice social signals that someone is responding to them in a positive way by smiling, leaning toward them, and seeking them out.
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Adjusting to Change
Researchers have found that introverts (tortoises) often adjust better than extroverts (hares or racehorses) to life changes such as aging, retirement, illness, or injury. Racehorses are used to galloping along, amassing lots of trophies for their winning style. As a result, they often have trouble handling a slower pace. Tortoises, on the other hand, are used to measuring out their energy, and they find it easier to adapt.
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Many introverts come to terms with the fact that they will not have as many friends, be able to work as much, or do as many things as extroverts do. But their friendships are deeper, they do meaningful work, and they enjoy the smaller, quieter more precious moments of life. The more you are able to appreciate the advantages of being an introvert, the more you will be able to accept the fact that you have limitations.

Introverts walk around with lots of thoughts and feelings in their heads. They are mulling–comparing old and new experiences. They often have an ongoing dialogue with themselves. Since this is such a familiar experience, they may not even realize that other minds work in different ways. Some introverts aren’t even aware that they think so much, or that they need time for ideas or solutions to “pop” into their heads. They need to reach back into long-term memory to locate information. This requires reflection time without pressure. They also need to give themselves physical space to let their feelings impressions bubble up. During REM sleep or while dreaming, this pathway integrates daily experiences and stores them in long-term memory, where they are filed in many areas of the brain. Introverts are in a constant distilling process that requires lots of “innergy.”
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Often introverts have trouble finding the word they want when they are speaking out loud. Our brains use many different areas for speaking, reading, and writing; therefore, information needs to flow freely between separate areas. Word retrival may be a problem for introverts because the information moves slowly. One cause of this is that we use long-term memory, so it takes longer and requires the right association (something that reminds us of the word) to reach back into our long-term memory to locate the exact word we want. If we are anxious, it may be even more difficult to find and articulate a word. Written words use different pathways in the brain, which seems to flow fluently for many introverts.

Introverts can be confusing; as their energy ebbs and flows, they may not appear consistent. 1 day their batteries may be well chargeed and they’re chatty and outgoing. Another day they are draggin’ their wagon and can barely talk at all. This can confuse and confound the people who know them.

Introverts are more likely to:
- Keep energy inside, making it difficult for others to know them
- Be absorbed in thought
- Hesitate before speaking
- Avoid crowds and seek quiet
- Lose sight of what others are doing
- Proceed cautiously in meeting people and participate only in selected activities
- Not offer ideas freely; may need to be asked their opinion
- Get agitated without enough time alone or undisturbed
- Reflect and act in a careful way
- Not show much facial expression or reaction

There are 3 main differences between introverts and extroverts that cause rifts to widen into vast misunderstandings.
1. Introverts think and talk differently
Introverts need time to think and don’t speak with spontaneity unless its a familiar subject. Introverts can appear cautious or passive to extroverts. When introverts speak with hesitation, extroverts may feel impatient. Extroverts need to learn that introverts require time to form and articulate opinions. However, extroverts also ought to be aware that if introverts have carefully thought out their ideas on a subject, or know alot about a topic, then watch out - the formerly quiet intros’ lips will start flapping fast and furious.

2. Introverts are unseen
Introverts dislike interrupting, so they might say something softly or without emphasis. Other times comments made by introverts have more depth than the general level of the conversation; because this may make people feel uncomfortable, they ignore the comment. Later another person may say the same thing and receive a great response. The introverted person feels unseen. It’s frustrating and confusing for them. Introverts are usually just thinking about what people are saying. They will share their thoughts if asked.

3. Introverts pressure extroverts to stop and think
It unnerves extroverts when introverts suggest that they should slow things down, plan, think about consequences, and focus longer before acting.
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Growing up constantly being compared to extroverts can be very damaging. Most introverted children grow up receiving the message overtly and covertly that something is wrong with them. They feel blamed–why can’t they answer the question faster? And defamed–maybe they aren’t very smart. 49 of the 50 introverts I interviewed felt they had been reproached and maligned for being the way they were. Introverted children usually get the message loud and clear that something is wrong with them.

It’s simply brilliant.

Choke