introversion

[piranha]

supergee writes about introversion and paying attention.

i am copying my comment to have it here for further ponderings.

i think the introvert/extravert distinction is really important, yes. but i wonder whether the paying attention stuff is not actually on a different axis from introversion. i am a strong introvert, but i don't have trouble with paying attention. in fact much of the joy in my life comes from paying attention. i don't mind travel at all, except for the people, *heh*. i prefer to drive myself so i am not piled into a container with too many other people in too close a proximity. i like the great outdoors, i love discovering and learning more things about life. i find watching people fascinating, it's just interacting with them that wears me out.

bodily maintenance annoys me not because of the paying attention part, but because it is maintenance, and i find that boring, and basically want to take the sysadmin approach: automate it as much as possible, and only pay attention to new and different stuff.

Comments

[stresskitten.livejournal.com]

I think interacting with people wears me out precisely because I pay so much attention. I'm really aware of tone of voice and body language and choice of words, more so than most people (or so it seems to me). I suspect that non-introverts are able to modulate their attention better than I can, and thus not use up so much of their attention-energy whenever they interact.

[pir-anha.livejournal.com]

hey, look whom the cat dragged in! how are you? *checks your LJ* -- nope, not posting. :)

yeah, interacting with people requires a lot of attention for me as well, to their body language and words and tone, as well as to my own, and all that while i am thinking about the subject we're discussing. it feels like i am walking a tightrope after a while; it's really stressful (unless i know people well, and we're all relaxed and just jamming).

[eub.livejournal.com]

(Everyone does know everyone else, don't they. At least some people.)